Jesse Lingard should leave Manchester United and return to West ham according to former Scotland international Ally McCoist.
Lingard's long term future at Old Trafford has been in doubt since the club allowed him to join West Ham on loan last January with the Hammers making no secret of their desire to bring him back to the London Stadium.
Such was the success of Lingard's loan spell with West Ham the attacking midfielder forced his way back into the England setup and was named in the provisional Euro 2020 squad before missing out at the very last minute.
Since his return to Old Trafford in the summer Lingard has lost his spot in the Three Lions camp and seen two Manchester United managers overlook him. The 29-year-old has struggled to make an impact back at his boyhood club, seeing just 272 minutes of football, only 87 of which have come in the Premier League and he has not started a league game all season.
Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Lingard should have called time on his Manchester United career in the last year.
“He should have left in the summer,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT. "I don’t understand these guys how he can have stayed there (Man United) in the summer. I know you want to back yourself to break into the Manchester United midfield but you’ve got [Bruno] Fernandes in front of you, [Paul] Pogba in front of you.
"Pogba’s been injured for the last two months and Lingard still can’t get a game. He still can’t even get on the pitch from the bench. For me he has to leave in January, Newcastle might want him on loan but I don’t think he’ll go to Newcastle on loan. I think if he goes somewhere on loan he’s going to look at a West Ham, a team that’s fighting the opposite end of the table, not a relegation battle. He won’t want to go there [Newcastle]."
McCoist agreed with Agbonlahor: "I’m old school, I like to see players roll their sleeves up and fight for their place in the team, however, I think that’s gone with Lingard [at Man United].
"He’s played a minute under (Ralf) Rangnick, he’s played 87 minutes in eight appearances under (Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer this season. Come on. He’s far too good a player. I think it would be a move that would suit all parties going somewhere like West Ham. Does he want to go to Newcastle?! I don’t really think so to be honest with you."
football.london understand that West Ham retain an interest in bringing Lingard back to the London Stadium this transfer window as David Moyes looks to strengthen his attacking options.
