23 Jun 2015 01:08:47
Jesse Lingard:
"I've always wanted to play for Manchester United and that's still my ambition." Lingard seems to be a good player and a good lad. Tough break last season with his injury after a bright start.
I am rooting for him to do well, but there will be a lot of competition for places on the wings. I have been impressed with his attitude, work rate and ability to shoot. I haven't been able to see more of his qualities. Does he have a good shot to break in to the first team this year?
23 Jun 2015 07:35:30
With the players at his position i don't think he will get much game time. I would rather see him loaned so that he has a better sale on value
23 Jun 2015 09:07:23
On the Tour two years ago, (I Posted this back then also) my sister in law was in a coffee shop in Sydney and overheard people in Man United tracksuits(She said they were older and not players) talking about someone called Jesse, Now the only reason she was listening is my daughter is called Jessie and this spiked her curiosity.
They essentially said he will be very very good but will never reach the Cristiano level or the level the very top players reach, now this was under the Moyes regime so maybe louis' advisors and coaches think something different but he was looked on positively under Moyes but who knows now, but with the right attitude he will go far.
23 Jun 2015 09:13:29
zidaniel,
Unfortunately, as much as I would like him to, because as you say, he seems like a good lad and he wants to play for the club, I have a feeling he is like you say only a 'good' player who isn't quite going to make it at a top team.
If he could improve, which obviously is still possible, then he could have a shot but I have a feeling he is not going to quite be good enough, he could possibly be a squad player at best but we may have to let him go to a lower premier league side in order for him to get games and fulfil any potential.
23 Jun 2015 09:41:49
I rate Lingard and think he could be a good squad player for us but I honestly think his best chance was last season. We'd had such a terrible season before and we had lots of injuries at the beginning of last season. Unfortunately he was one of them.
Since the the first game of last season we have seen new signings like Di Maria and Depay, as well as players getting back to form such as Young and Fellaini. The positions Lingard is most effective are currently occupied by these players and it looks like we want to continue to strengthen.
It is a shame but it's very rare that a player is going to come through the ranks at the age of 22 at a club of United's size. While that is still young, generally they have either made it into the first team by that age or they have/will be let go. I'd like to see him given the chance because he played well out on loan last year and the last couple of pre seasons he's looked good.
23 Jun 2015 11:05:41
Probably best to keep him as a squad player. With all the strengthening we need to make and a limited amount of top class home growns to fill them, it makes sense to keep some HG players at the club.
Rafael & Evans likely to go.
Jones needing a new contract and possibly being sold (no rumour just theory).
Rooney, Carrick, Young all reaching or in their 30's. We have a serious lack of top quality home grown players for the next 3-5 years - possible problem.
23 Jun 2015 12:54:48
Beast,
You might be right about the HG players, it is a bit worrying though that the homegrown rule is supposed to mean that English players get to play at the top level, but I would imagine a lot of them will be signed or kept on just to make up the numbers and not actually get regular game time, which takes away from the whole idea in the first place.
This is not a dig at you Beast obviously, just a lead on from your post about something that worries me a little. I guess if you aren't bothered about English players doing well then it's not really an issue, but I am a proud Englishman who supports the national team as well so it would be nice to see more English players at the top level.
23 Jun 2015 13:31:12
Thanks for the input, guys. I will be rooting for Lingard but my gut feeling as well was that it will not be easy.
23 Jun 2015 15:53:38
Didn't scholesy say a couple of years ago on the Pre season tour of Asia that he's like a young iniesta or Xavi with his passing and vision? Pretty special if the one and only paul Scholes is saying that about you, I like that he's pretty versatile he can play left or right wing, false 9, attacking midfielder and showed he can do a decent job at RWB. I've always thought he's always had a very small frame but I suppose that doesn't stop special players like silva and mata.
23 Jun 2015 17:54:12
Thought Lingard showed some good signs in pre season but injury came and he didn't get the chance to shine- fancy he will be loaned out tbh but looking at the situation re newcastle and the maclaren link to us; with Ashley being a tight arse and newcastle needing a full team to stay up could, evans, rafael powell etc be the answer to their problem and save our wage bill and possibly bed some youngun's in? Similarities to bruce at s'land buying a couple and bringing a couple on loan ?