Danny Murphy stunned by Jesse Lingard exit failure amid West Ham pursuit
Danny Murphy has expressed his surprise that 2020/21 West Ham hero Jesse Lingard failed to force a Manchester United exit in the summer transfer window.
Lingard, 28, spent the second half of last season on loan in east London and scored nine Premier League goals to inspire the Irons to Europa League qualification.
Speaking on talkSPORT [05/09/21], ex-Liverpool midfielder Murphy has tipped the England international, who scored twice versus Andorra on Sunday, to go out on loan in the near future.
“I’m amazed that he hasn’t gone, I’m amazed that he didn’t go,” Murphy said.
“He’s just got the bug back, he’s been brilliant at West Ham. I’ve always been a fan of Lingard, he’s what I call a really intelligent footballer. He’s got great game awareness.
“He’d have been a terrific signing for someone. He’ll probably end up out on loan, first chance he gets I would imagine.
Host Sam Matterface asked: “[Are you] Surprised he didn’t go out on loan at the end of this transfer window?”
“Yeah, I was,” Murphy replied.
January return?
West Ham were mooted as a potential destination on deadline day by Dharmesh Sheth, as quoted on the Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre on August 30 [19:32].
But Lingard is obviously happy to remain at his boyhood club for at least a few more months, something that was likely further helped by the return of Red Devils legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the Portuguese star’s arrival will only serve to further decimate his chances of regular minutes at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo joins Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as attackers ahead of Lingard in the pecking order for the front three positions.
Meanwhile, in attacking midfield, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba are above him while there is further competition from Donny van de Beek and Juan Mata.
There just seems such little space for Lingard, which is why he may revisit his options in January.
However, if Nikola Vlasic impresses at the London Stadium after his arrival from CSKA Moscow on deadline day, will West Ham still be in for Lingard? It remains to be seen, but Lingard faces a tough task to play regular football over the next few months.
In other West Ham news, Gabby Agbonlahor predicts Irons ace exit after behind-the-scenes claim.
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