The midfielder says he is fully focused on “getting back to old Jesse” after leaving Old Trafford until the end of the season
Jesse Lingard has explained why he made the decision to join West Ham in January, calling Manchester United “I didn’t get my chance” after last season ‘s lockout.
United were happy to control Lingard’s departure when the Hammers were asked about a short-term loan deal last month, with the midfielder moving to London Stadium on a deal that was to be run until the end of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he could not promise more regular football at Lingard at Old Trafford, but the 28-year-old claims he was not given a fair chance to prove his worth after football resumed in June last year after the coronavirus-induced hiatus.
What was said?
Asked why he chose to take on a new challenge at West Ham rather than stay and fight for a place in the Red Devils squad, Lingard said BT Sport: “First and foremost I am here to play, win and help the team, so hopefully I can do that and see where we are at the end of the season.
“It’s about playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football and getting back to old Jesse.
“During the lockout, I put back my best times playing football – the season under Jose [Mourinho] where I got all those goals and went to the World Cup and the season when Ole came in and I started well.
“I started to get that fire in my stomach and drive again to go and kick because it would have been easy for me to fall off and take out the easy option, but someone like me who has been through a lot and familiar with the game, I can’t ignore it as it is and I always go out with a fight.
“I came back as one of the strongest and fittest (in the Man Utd squad) after the lockout and I only got the chance to wait the entire time I was there. and without playing I was doing extra training and maintaining more of my fitness for when the time was right.
“So for me, it’s about working hard and staying dedicated and I went back to basics.”
How has Lingard started at West Ham?
Lingard was given his debut for the Hammers in the Premier League case against Aston Villa on February 3, and made an immediate victory after being named in David Moyes starting XI.
The United loanee struck twice in a 3-1 away win for the east London outfit to round off an elegant display, which ensured he stayed in the squad for the trip to Fulham three days later.
Lingard was much quieter in Craven Cottage ‘s 0-0 draw, but it looks like he will have another chance to win when West Ham take on Sheffield United at the bottom of the table on Monday.
Could Lingard win the memory of England?
Lingard has clinched 28 caps for his country so far including six at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but has not played for his country in nearly two years.
Solskjaer has been among those who reminded Gareth Southgate to bring the player back if he continues at West Ham, with the European Championships set to begin in June after being which canceled last summer.
When asked if he wants to step back on the international stage, Lingard replied: “It ‘s there in my mind, I have my own goals that I wrote down before I came to West Ham and while s I can knock them, we’ll see what doors are open for me. “