West Ham coach confirms interest in Man Utd midfielder Jesse Lingard

West Ham United coach Stuart Pearce has confirmed the club are actively trying to sign Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard.

The England international spent the second half of 2020/21 with the Irons and enjoyed something of a renaissance under David Moyes.

Lingard played 16 games for West Ham in total and registered an impressive nine goals and five assists.

Pearce, who joined Moyes’s coaching staff last year, was speaking to talkSPORT on Monday morning, when he confirmed the club are pursuing a deal for the 28-year-old.

“We would like him to come and join us. That has been an open secret. He was wonderful last year,” said the former England left-back.

“The ball is in Manchester United’s court. He is contracted to them. We would like him with us, there is no doubt about that.

“He’s a special lad and was very good around the players, the players really like him. His ability shone out last year and gave us a great option in our squad. You never know, but at this moment in time it looks like he is fighting for a place in the United line-up.”

Lingard missed out on the Red Devils’ opening-day triumph over Leeds United on Saturday as he recovers from Covid-19, and speaking after the game Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters he has no plans to let the academy graduate leave Old Trafford.

“Don’t forget Jesse Lingard who has re-invented himself and has come back the man that we know he is with the quality. He is going to play a big part as well,” he said.