Jesse Lingard would have been lining up for West Ham today if they had it their way.
Instead Lingard scored the winner for Manchester United against the club which helped revive his career on loan earlier this year.
It was meant to be
Lingard’s winner was probably inevitable. He expressed a desire to stay at United in the summer and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer obliged.
There were many TV and radio pundits who questioned his decision and whether he would get the time to shine.
Lingard has now scored two goals in his last two league matches.
He curled a terrific effort into the top corner against the Hammers in the 88th minute to set up a 2-1 win.
Lingard sent a message out after the result, thanking West Ham fans for the reception, and reflecting on an emotional week.
Lingard had given the ball away for Young Boys’ surprise winner in midweek in the Champions League.
He has quickly gone from villain back to hero, and the celebrations at the end showed how highly United’s players value him.
United’s players rallied round Lingard in midweek and backed him. Solskjaer showed faith in him too, sending him on at the London Stadium with 20 minutes to go.
There was still time for West Ham to win a penalty, and miss it, with David de Gea sharing the title of hero for United. Lingard won’t mind that at all.
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