BBC pundit Garth Crooks has criticised Tottenham Hotspurs’ decision not to sign Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard.
Lingard, 28, has spent the majority of his career at United after joining their youth ranks all the way back in 2000.
In what has been in excess of two decades at Old Trafford, Lingard has largely enjoyed impressive spells.
After being shipped out on loan as a youngster in an attempt to aid his development, the English midfielder went onto force his way into the side’s first-team.
An FA Cup final winning goal will arguably go down as Lingard’s greatest ever contribution. However, since his 2017 cup goal, the 28-year-old has found himself fall further and further out-of-favour.
Now under the guidance of current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Lingard has found his playing time all but cut-off completely.
In an attempt to reignite his stagnating career, the English attacker was allowed to join David Moyes’ West Ham United on a short-term loan, last month.
An absolutely incredible start to life in east London has seen Lingard hit the ground running after contributing to four goals in his first four games.
West Ham will be delighted with the start Lingard has made, however, the Hammers’ gain has been their rivals’ loss.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Lingard was also a target for Jose Mourinho’s Spurs.
Lingard > Tottenham possible only if Dele Alli will leave. Let’s see on next days.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 20, 2020
Spurs’ transfer misery was piled on last weekend after Lingard bagged what turned out to be winning goal when the two sides clashed in the Premier League.
The United loanee’s latest performance saw him win a place in the BBC’s Team of the Week and writing in his column, Crooks feels Spurs’ decision not to rival West Ham for Lingard’s signature has been a major failure.
“The Manchester United loanee is having a ball in east London,” Crooks wrote. “David Moyes and Jose Mourinho are former managers of Manchester United and both know exactly what Lingard can do.
“I find it particularly interesting that it is Moyes who has given Lingard a chance to rejuvenate his career, when it was Spurs who desperately needed him. Lingard is playing out of his skin.”
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