Lingard ‘excited’ to play under Moyes at West Ham

MANCHESTER United forward Jesse Lingard has expressed his excitement at joining West Ham United on loan.

The England international has hardly figured in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans at Old Trafford this season and has now taken his search for regular football to the London Stadium where he will remain until the end of the current campaign.

“I’m excited,” Lingard told West Ham TV after completing his move on Friday night. “It’s another new chapter in my life. Nothing is guaranteed but I’ve come here to work hard and help the team and bring my experience. That’s the main aim. I just want to enjoy my football and get back playing again and get my feet back on the pitch.

“There were lots of clubs involved but, for me personally, I felt this was the right move. I’ve obviously had a previous relationship with the manager as he was at Man United and I’ve played under him before, so he knows my qualities and what I can bring to the team. I know a couple of the players as well – I know Dec [Rice] very well from the England side – and I feel I can really settle in here quickly.”

The Irons’ new No11 stressed that his previous relationship with manager Moyes played an influential role in his decision to move to London Stadium, and he intends to repay him on the pitch.

“It’s important that a player and manager have a good relationship. He’s got really good morals, he gets his team working hard and I’ve had a chat with him already and there are no guarantees – it’s down to me to put the work in and put the graft in, to get into the team and play well week-in, week-out.

“I can’t wait to show [the West Ham fans] what I’ve got in store. I’m excited and I want to help the team push up the table as far as they can.”

The 28-year-old he made 210 appearances at Manchester United, scored 33 goals and registered 20 assists and won the FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League.

Capped 24 times by England, Lingard was part of the squads which finished fourth at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and third at the 2019 UEFA Nations League finals.

 Moyes is also looking forward to working with a player he first selected at the age of 20 again, citing his talent, work-rate and versatility as valuable assets.

“I’ve seen him play as a young boy, when he was still a wide player on the right, and I’ve seen him play off the left,” the manager observed. “He’s played for England as a No10, he’s played for England as a No8, and I actually think if we needed him as a false 9, he could do that as well.

“We’re bringing in that versatility, I’ve wanted to try to get an energetic team at the moment and Jesse has been known for his work-rate and effort, so I think he’ll fit in nicely with what we’ve got.

“I hope he brings us a little bit of quality too, and a winning mentality from Manchester United.”

whufc.com.