Jesse Lingard returned to Manchester United in the summer after completing a successful loan spell at West Ham United in the English Premier League. The Englishman joined the London club in the second half of the season and played a huge role in their qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Several clubs were looking to sign the attacking midfielder permanently, but Manchester United were not willing to sell the player. Instead, they kept the player to strengthen their bench and used him whenever needed. But the plan has failed so far, as the midfielder is unable to get enough game time and is warming the bench. The Red Devils have been unable to capitalize on Lingard’s form this season.
Jesse Lingard made 16 appearances for West Ham United last season and scored 13 goals. He was one of their most influential players on the pitch. The 29-year-old was effective with his passing as he managed to provide four assists. The above map shows all the successful passes delivered by him. These included 23 crosses, 21 smart passes, and 20 through passes. His overall expected assist rate was 2.48. Lingard attempted most of his passes towards central midfielder Thomas Soucek and created the highest threat with the passes he attempted towards Michail Antonio.
Last season, the most important contribution from Lingard was scoring goals. Jesse Lingard managed to find the back of the net on nine occasions with a high xG rate of 5.68. The above map shows all the 43 shots attempted by the midfielder last season. He managed to hit the target on 21 occasions. Of the 43 shots, 24 were attempted from inside the opposition’s penalty box. Other than this, Lingard managed to get 35 touches inside the opposition’s penalty box.
This season, things have been different at Old Trafford. Lingard has only made 13 appearances and has started in just a single match. He has spent just 276 minutes on the pitch and is unable to get enough game time. The player was willing to go on another loan spell in the winter transfer window, but the club didn’t allow that.
Jesse Lingard has scored two goals after coming off the bench with a low xG rate of 0.26. He has attempted five shots, three of them from inside the opposition’s penalty box. Lingard managed to hit the target on four occasions and scored the goals from inside the opposition’s penalty box. He has had just five touches inside the opposition’s penalty box.
Lack of game time has affected Jesse Lingard’s form, and this has been a negative for the Red Devils. They have failed to make use of their bench. Lingard scored these two goals towards the start of the season and has struggled since then to find his place in the team. Manchester United failed to make use of the form that he brought from his successful loan spell, and the player could be on the move in the summer.
