Solskjaer issues challenge to Lingard ahead of Man Utd exit

The Englishman has found minutes hard to come by this season due to intense competition in the middle of the park for the Red Devils.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer challenges Jesse Lingard to “show how good a player he is” during his loan spell away from Manchester United.

Lingard is understood to be on the verge of joining West Ham, having sealed a loan move to the Hammers for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.

The 28-year-old will hope to get his career back on track at the London Stadium after falling hugely out of favour at Old Trafford.

All his minutes on the pitch this season have come in cup competitions with the midfielder below Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, and Fred in the manager’s pecking order for Premier League games.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Man United’s Premier League match against Arsenal, Solskjaer essentially confirmed the player’s departure on Friday.

“We want Jesse to come back here revitalized and having shown at West Ham how good a player he is,” the Norwegian said, via Goal.

“He’s just been unfortunate with a couple of issues, some periods he had to stay away from us with Covid, isolation and close contact.

“The rest of the team has done well. We’ve had little to no injuries and he’s not forced his way into the team. I just want him to go there and enjoy himself, show how good a player he is and come back and show he’s a Man Utd player through and through.”