Man Utd want to keep 'red through and through' Lingard, confirms Solskjaer

Martin Macdonald

• 16 Sept 2021 17:05 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the club want Jesse Lingard to stay at Old Trafford.

After failing to register a single minute of football in the opening half of last season, Lingard went out on loan for the last six months of the campaign to West Ham, where he flourished.

In 16 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, he scored nine goals and assisted a further four.

It was widely expected that Lingard would leave Man Utd in the summer of 2021, with West Ham being the most likely destination on a permanent deal.

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However, Man Utd's asking price was allegedly too much for the London side as negotiations never reached the point where a deal appeared likely.

And so, Lingard returned to be part of Solskjaer's squad for the 2021/22 season.

This week he made his first appearance in Europe for over 18 months as he came off the bench in Man Utd's Champions League encounter with Young Boys.

With the Red Devils down to 10 men, Lingard was brought on in the second half to provide some legs.

Instead, he provided a golden opportunity for Young Boys to win, as it was his horrendous backpass to David de Gea that was intercepted by Theoson-Jordan Siebatcheu, who ran through to make it 2-1, earning a dramatic win for the Swiss outfit.

He naturally received criticism for his role in the loss.

Afterwards, Solskjaer defended him, though, and insisted that Man Utd actually want him to sign an extended deal.

Solskjaer on Lingard

"He's got this season left of his contract and the club is talking to him and his dad," the Norwegian said.

"And we see him as a Man United player in the future as well.

"Jesse has come back to us after a great spell at West Ham.

"He showed his qualities, he's got back into the England squad and he's scoring goals for England.

"We really what to see the best of Jesse this season and we hope to see him, we support him, and we hope to keep him here with us.

"He's a red through and through."