Solskjaer makes his Lingard position clear

Jesse Lingard arrived into the Manchester United team for the second 45 minutes at Derby County today (Sunday) before getting a vote of confidence from manager Ole Gunnar  Solskjaer.

It’s the first indication of where the United manager stands with the player although his claim that he remains in “the plans for the moment” seem to suggest that things could change.

West Ham boss David Moyes remains keen to bring the attacking midfielder to the London Stadium and there now seems to me more mind games than ever being played by the United boss as he perhaps muddies the wATERS.

Lingard has to make up his mind whether he is ready to commit to some future – and possibly wasted years at United  – or gain regular first team football at the Hammers.

To be honest it seems like a non brainer and the Old Trafford boss is clearly keeping all options open giv en his comments following today’s game at Pride Park.

Following the game the United boss told MUTV: “Jesse has come back, been bright, he wants to fight for his place.” 

One of the reasons Solskjaer may want to keep Lingard around is because of Marcus Rashford’s shoulder injury.

The forward seems set to miss the first two months of the upcoming campaign as he undergoes surgery on a problem that has long troubled him, and the United boss provided an update on the injured England forward.

“We are looking at the best options,” he said.