Manchester United might want Jesse Lingard back, Gary Neville predicts

The midfielder joined the Hammers in January after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford

West Ham midfielder Jesse Lingard (Getty Images)

Gary Neville believes that Jesse Lingard’s sensational form for West Ham United could see Manchester United choose to take him back this summer.

The midfielder joined the Hammers on loan in January after falling down the pecking order in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-team plans at Old Trafford.

He has been superb for David Moyes’ high-flying side scoring six times, including in the win over Wolves on Monday night, and adding three assists in just eight appearances since his switch to London.

His form has seen him return to the England fold and former United defender Neville thinks he could also force his way back into the Red Devils’ thinking too.

"He does an incredible amount of running. It's what he does. He's good out of possession and good in possession,” he said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

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"At Manchester United because there is that expectation of what you need to be, to be a wide player there, he's always going to get a difficult press.

"But if he was playing in a world-class team, if he was, say, Ji-Sung Park 10 years ago playing with Ronaldo and Rooney, doing that supplementary role, then people would be saying he's perfect for this squad.

"The problem is he was not playing in Manchester United teams as good as that, so he gets a bit of stick.

"He's a really good player. He's going to have a great career. Manchester United have sent him out to West Ham to boost his career, maybe with the thought of boosting his price tag, but they might be thinking, 'actually, we might want him back, he could be a real help to us.'"

Neville added: "If Jesse wants to play, and you can see he does want to play, then he needs to leave, because he's not going to play every single week for a Manchester United team that's competing for second or first place in the league.

"But if he's willing to go back there and compete and be the player that Dan James has been for the last few weeks, in and out, then there's no doubt he can play for Manchester United."