Jesse Lingard completes loan transfer to West Ham

Jesse Lingard has completed his loan transfer from Manchester United to West Ham until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has been a peripheral figure at Old Trafford throughout 2020/21 and has yet to appear in the Premier League. He was limited to just 179 minutes of action in cup competitions and last played for United in their FA Cup third round victory over Watford earlier this month.

Talks about a loan move surfaced in early January, and after weeks of speculation, it was West Ham who managed to trap Lingard on a temporary deal until the end of the season.

Confirming his arrival on their official website, Lingard told West Ham TV: “I am delighted. It’s another new chapter in my life. Nothing is guaranteed but I came here to work hard, help the team and bring my experience. This is the main objective. I just want to enjoy my football and start playing again and get my feet back on the pitch.

“There were a lot of clubs involved but, for me personally, I thought it was the right decision. Obviously I had a previous relationship with the manager because he was at Man U and I played under him before so he knows my qualities and what I can bring to the team. I also know a few players – I know Dec [Rice] very good on the english side – and I feel like I can really settle down here quickly.

“It is important that a player and a manager have a good relationship. He has a very good character, he makes his team work hard and I have already discussed with him and there are no guarantees – it’s up to me to do the job and put the transplant in, get into it. ‘team and play. good week after week. “

“I can’t wait to show [the West Ham fans] what I have in store. I’m excited and want to help the team move the table as far as possible.

West Ham manager David Moyes, who worked with Lingard during his time at Old Trafford, added: “I saw him play as a young boy, when he was still a wide right player, and I saw him play. He played for England as a No10, he played for England as a No8, and I actually think if we needed him as a False 9 he could do that too.

“We bring that versatility, I wanted to try to have an energetic team at the moment and Jesse is known for his pace of work and effort so I think he will fit in well with what we had.

“I hope he gives us some quality too, and a winning Manchester United mentality.”

Earlier on Friday, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted that he expected Lingard to return to the club before next season, when he enters the final year of his contract. This is despite West Ham’s best efforts to insert a purchase option or obligation into its loan agreement.

“We want Jesse to come back here revitalized and having shown West Ham just how good he is,” Solskjaer said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game with Arsenal (via MailOnline Sport). “He’s just been unhappy with a few issues, some times he’s had to stay away from us with COVID, isolation and close contact.

‘[The] the rest of the team did well, little to no injuries, not forced entry into the team – [he can] come back and show he’s a Manchester United player through and through. “

Lingard’s move to London Stadium is an opportunity to get his dropout career back on track, and seems like an opportunity he appreciates if his recent social media posts hold true. The former FA Cup final-winning goalscorer released a photo of his bags on Thursday, along with a caption confirming his imminent arrival in the capital.

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