We saw another example of how quickly things can change in football. Just days before, Jesse Lingard had misplaced a pass which had led to a Young Boys goal and a Champions League defeat for Manchester United. Today, he scored a brilliant winner for the Red Devils in the 89th minute of a tight game against West Ham United to hand all three points to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
For the most part, it had looked like the game was headed for a draw before late drama. And Lingard’s winner was not the end of it. West Ham United would get a penalty deep into stoppage time only for David de Gea to save Mark Noble’s spot-kick.
At the end of the day, Manchester United were perhaps a bit lucky to come out of the game with all three points but as long as they keep coming, it does not matter how they come.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game and as reported by the Daily Star, Lingard said about scoring the winner against his former side:
"“Over the moon. Got a brilliant reception when I came on, had a good time at West Ham but got to move on with Man United and do my best.“As I said I’ve been working hard. To overcome last week wasn’t easy but to get minutes and score is brilliant.“Mistakes happen in football and that’s one of the only mistakes I’ve made my career in football, but you’ve got to overcome them, things happen and bounce back.”"
Lingard scored a brilliant winner for Manchester United vs West Ham
Lingard had a brilliant time on loan at West Ham United last season but it was against them that he found himself scoring on the day.
The goal must have been a massive confidence booster for the player, whose mistake lead to Young Boys’ winner against Manchester United in midweek. Now, it will be important that he uses this to go even further.
Lingard has been great in recent times, finding the back of the net for both club and country. And if he can continue to have this kind of an impact off the bench then there is no reason that he cannot have a big role to play in this Manchester United team moving forward.