Bruno Fernandes comments on Jesse Lingard shows that Manchester United have a simple decision to make in the transfer window.
The England international signed for West Ham in January and made an immediate impact, finishing the year with nine goals and four assists in 16 appearances.
It saw him called back to the national set-up by Gareth Southgate and looks certain to take part in the Euros this summer.
David Moyes would love to keep hold of the playmaker, who fans are in love with in east London.
But the Hammers look set to be spurned by United, who are not prepared to let the 28-year-old leave on the cheap.
West Ham would have to convince the Red Devils to cut their price, a situation that they are especially keen on, report The Sun.
That is despite the fact that Lingard has struggled for game time at Old Trafford since the arrival of Fernandes, who plays in the same position.
The Portugal international has completely transformed the club but he has already spoken out on his first-team rival's future.
Earlier this month, Fernandes insisted that everyone was happy to see Lingard perform the way he has for West Ham.
He told MUTV : "If you see Jesse, I think Jesse, at the moment, if you watch the last 10 games, has been top, top, top level.
"For me, if you watch the last 10 games, he's been the best player in the Premier League, scoring and assists in every game.
"Everyone here is really, really happy for him. He has confidence back, he has his swag back, because he is feeling confident. We are really, really happy for what he's doing."
For United, the decision to see him return should be a simple one - provided he bring the same form back up north with him.
With the Red Devils looking to launch an assault on the Premier League - a title they have not won since 2013 - Solskjaer will need all of his best performers.
The Norweigan coach was asked about Lingard's future at the club last month, saying: "Jesse has been brilliant since he left. Selfishly, we could have kept him because he's always got a part to play.
"Jesse is a fantastic lad around the place, he's Man Utd through and through, and never once did he moan or cause me a problem.
"He just came in and worked really hard and he deserved a chance to play more football, that's why we let him go to West Ham because he deserved a chance for what he's done throughout his life for Man Utd.
"We will welcome him back. I hope he'll go to the Euros with his performances now and the confidence he has got, I don't think that's beyond him, and I hope he has a strong finish to the league.
"Then, it was different here because Bruno the form he has shown and he played arguably in Jesse's favoured position and that was just a decision we made. I'm delighted for Jesse and wish him all the best for the rest of the season until he comes back."
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