Pranav Nair
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Jesse Lingard is an asset for the club
According to Rio Ferdinand Presents Five on Youtube (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on Jesse Lingard for making a positive impact on the side.
The 28-year-old isn’t a regular starter but offers the Red Devils excellent strength in depth. It was on show at the weekend as Lingard came off the bench to grab all three points for the side at West Ham United.
Ferdinand admits that he would have advised Lingard to leave the club, had he not received regular playtime. It is, however, difficult for him to ignore the effect the English international has had so far.
“If he wasn’t going to get opportunities, I would say “you’ve got to go.”
Ferdinand believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to keep the player at the club is paying off. While he may not be the first choice attacker at the club, Lingard looks set to receive enough minutes to make his case.
“It looks like Ole has said to him in the summer, ‘You’re going to get opportunities, I’m going to give you game time. You’ve got to make an impact.’ And he’s doing that.”
Lingard has experienced both highs and lows in just a week’s worth of time. He was responsible for Young Boys’ winner against in the UEFA Champions League last week. To step up and make the difference at the right end just days later shows character. Lingard certainly is deserving of the praise coming his way.
“This is a great example of how you can be the villain one week and then three or four days later, you are the hero.”
Ferdinand has always backed Lingard to perform if he is played to his strengths. Now that he is doing it, the United legend’s faith in him has been vindicated. The season is still young and the 28-year-old could go on to play a key role for the club this campaign.
“I’ve always said he’s an asset to Manchester United if we use him in the right way.”
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Lingard’s contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer of 2022. The 28-year-old will need to make a decision on his future sooner or later. If he keeps up his performances, it will not just be United who will be alerted to his prowess.
