Jesse Lingard might have been cast adrift by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, but the man who replaced him, Bruno Fernandes, has singled out the 28-year-old as currently the “the best player in the Premier League.”
Bruno Fernandes said “I think Jesse, at the moment, if you watch the last 10 games, has been top, top, top level. For me, if you watch the last 10 games, he’s been the best player in the Premier League, scoring and assists in every game.”
Lingard might have seen his game time limited by the arrival of Fernandes at the club but the mutual respect and friendship between the two remains. Ahead of West Ham’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, the two players could be seen embracing at the entrance to the tunnel, and Fernandes is thrilled for his friend’s success in London.
Bruno Fernandes said “Everyone here is really, really happy for him. He has confidence back, he has his swag back because he is feeling confident. We are really, really happy for what he’s doing.”
Following his loan spell at West Ham, Lingard has been reported by Eurosport as being almost a done deal to return to the club permanently for next season.
Gary Neville told Sky Sports a return to Old Trafford is unlikely for the England international and that Lingard will be told a permanent departure from Manchester United is best for all parties.
Gary Neville said “There’s a feeling that Jesse Lingard, having done really well at West Ham, could come back, but I think Ole will say ‘no’ and tell him to go and explore elsewhere.”
If Lingard is to stay with West Ham he will know he is at a club that wants him and a manager who has full faith in him. Lingard’s relationship with Moyes goes back many years and club captain Mark Noble revealed on BBC’s That Peter Crouch Podcast that the attacking-midfielder is the manager’s favourite.
Mark Noble said “[It’s] Jesse Lingard at the minute. We do boxes [in training] and he’s not even allowed in the middle! Now the lads are on it and it’s a running joke. They live in the same apartment block now and the gaffer loves it as well. Jesse will be with us and the gaffer will go: ‘Jess, thanks for bringing me that bottle of wine the other night!’ He’ll just swallow his Adam’s apple, Jesse, he hasn’t got a comeback.”
Lingard had been with Manchester United since the age of seven but following Solskjaer’s appointment as manager and Fernandes’ arrival his game time was severely limited and he looked for a loan move away from the club. West Ham manager David Moyes knew Lingard well from his time at Old Trafford and it was this personal connection that saw the 28-year-old choose the London Stadium as his new temporary home. Under Moyes Lingard has thrived at West Ham and his former United teammate Fernandes has singled Lingard out for high praise.
