Goal hero Lingard has his ‘smile’ back after leaving Man Utd

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 14:39 BST
• 1 min read

Jesse Lingard has revealed that he has rediscovered his happiness on the football pitch again since his January move to West Ham.

Lingard moved on loan to West Ham until the end of the season in January, having fallen out of favour at Old Trafford.

He did not play a single minute of Premier League football for Man United in 2020/21, but has started brilliantly since moving to East London.

He has scored three goals in just four starts and fired home a fantastic strike in Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Tottenham.

“It’s brilliant. All the lads have taken to me really well,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve settled in really quickly. 

“I’m playing each game with a smile. I’m enjoying my football and winning games, that’s the most important thing.”

West Ham are in an excellent run of form and are currently flying high in fourth position in the Premier League.

So can they really clinch a shock place in the Champions League next season?

“Everyone’s got the same mindset and the same goal for the end of the season,” Lingard added.

“For us it’s about sticking together as a team and, on days like this, working hard for the three points.

“We don’t look at the table too much. We want to take it game by game. It’s an enjoyable position to be in.”