Manchester United’s reported new contract offer to Jesse Lingard will not change a thing for West Ham United or the player.
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Lingard has been a revelation for David Moyes since joining West Ham on loan from Man United in January.
He had become an outcast at Old Trafford, featuring just twice all season long. Lingard’s lack of game time in recent seasons also meant he had not been picked for England for over two years.
Hammers fans excited at prospect of signing Lingard permanently left winded by new Man United deal claims
But the 28-year-old has been so good for West Ham he earned an England recall – which he capped off by getting man of the match on his return against San Marino.
Lingard is helping maintain West Ham’s Champions League push.
And Hammers fans are excited at the prospect of making his deal permanent in the summer – by which point Lingard will have just a year left on his contract.
So West Ham fans were left winded when reports emerged claiming Lingard will be offered a new three-year deal by Man United thanks to his excellent form.
Hammers supporters were gutted by The Sun’s claim.
But they must ask themselves this. Even if the report is true, what does it change? Absolutely nothing.
New contract changes absolutely nothing for Lingard or West Ham
The offer of a new contract at Man United doesn’t change the fact that Lingard won’t get what he wants for the rest of his career – to play week in, week out.
The player has made it perfectly clear what he wants. And with Bruno Fernandes heading up a list of seven or eight players in direct competition with Lingard at Man United he simply will not play every week as he will with West Ham.
Another thing Lingard has made clear is that he is determined to play regularly to be in contention for England selection.
Some believe that if his loan at West Ham gets Lingard into the Euros squad it will be mission complete and the player may go back to Old Trafford more accepting of less game time.
Playing week in, week out and making the England squad is what Lingard wants and the Qatar World Cup is just around the corner
But what must be remembered is that Lingard is at his peak and the Qatar World Cup is just around the corner – slap bang in the middle of next season.
Lingard will be desperate to be part of that – given it will likely be his last chance to play at a major tournament.
He is not going to give all that up to sit on the bench at Man United for another three years.
All West Ham have to do is make sure they are the ones ready and waiting with the money required to get him come the summer.
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