Jesse Lingard accused of lacking ambition by staying at Manchester United instead of joining West Ham

Trevor Sinclair has accused Jesse Lingard of lacking ambition after the Manchester United playmaker reportedly told the club he wanted to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.

Lingard flourished for West Ham on a six-month loan last season, scoring nine goals in 16 matches as the Hammers sealed qualification for the Europa League.

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The east London club wanted to sign him permanently in the summer but the club were reluctant to pay the £40million asking fee United were demanding.

It's understood Lingard also told the club he was willing to fight for his place in the first team, rather than asking his boyhood club to let him leave.

Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed the England international was in his plans for the 2021/22 campaign, but he has played just four minutes this season, so far.

And Sinclair can't understand why he would rather remain at United than be the 'main man' at West Ham - especially as he is now refusing a new deal at Old Trafford.

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"If he doesn't get given them assurances and sign a new deal, then that says he's not ambitious as a player," he told talkSPORT.

"I'm slightly confused that he didn't want to sign for West Ham permanently.

"He was loved there and was the main man. He played one time for Manchester United in 2021, but played 16 times for West Ham and got into double figures for goals and back in the England squad.

"Why would you not want to be in that environment?";

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