Former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick has defended the club’s transfer stance on Jesse Lingard after blocking a move for the winger on deadline day.
The England international had looked set to head out on loan after being told by Ralf Rangnick he was free to leave Old Trafford on the final day of the January transfer window.
But, just as a move on loan to Newcastle looked to be on the cards, United blocked the move, meaning Lingard will instead spend the rest of the season with the Reds.
The 29-year-old had also been linked with a move back to West Ham, having enjoyed a successful spell at the London Stadium last year.
United, though, refused to allow one of their players to move to one of their rivals in the race for a top four spot in the Premier League, meaning Lingard will now have to wait until the summer, when his contract at Old Trafford expires.
The decision to block a move for Lingard proved unpopular with many United fans, although Chadwick has defended the decision not to allow the forward to return to the Hammers.
“I’ve no idea of the ins and outs of it, but you can understand with a move to West Ham, if he performed like he did last season and they end up in fourth at the expense of United, you can understand why they didn’t want him to move,” Chadwick told CaughtOffside.
“It sounds like he had his heart set on West Ham rather than Newcastle, but it’s strange that it was on and off again a few times.
“It’s tough for him, I’m sure he would’ve wanted to play more games in a World Cup year. He forced himself back into the England squad with how he played at West Ham last season.”
Lingard wasn’t the only player to have a potential move away from United blocked on deadline day.
Dean Henderson also saw his proposed move to Watford called off, with the goalkeeper looking to get some more game time after making just two appearances so far this season.
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