Graeme Souness says Jesse Lingard's moment of individual brilliance was of no surprise as Manchester United defeated West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
On an afternoon of late drama in the capital, United secured a 2-1 victory thanks to an 89th-minute winner from substitute Lingard, before David de Gea produced a late save to deny Hammers midfielder Mark Noble from the penalty spot.
United, who had drawn level in the first half through Cristiano Ronaldo following Said Benrahma's opener for the home side, turned the game on its head when Lingard, cutting inside from the left side of the penalty area, unleashing a right-footed effort high into the top corner to haunt his former club.
The attacking midfielder's late heroics marked his second goal in as many Premier League games and certainly made up for his error against Young Boys in the Champions League in midweek.
For Souness, however, the goal was exactly what Lingard was looking for when he got hold of possession.
Asked what he made of Lingard's match-winner, Souness told Sky Sports : "It was not a surprise. I think when he picks the ball up you know what he’s going to do, he’s going to try get it on his good foot.
"[Kurt] Zouma’s allowed him to come in and it ends in a goal. Zouma has to force him down the line and onto his bad foot.
"It was exactly what Lingard wanted to do; get it onto his good foot and a it is great goal for United. Poor defending."
Having made such a costly error against Young Boys on Tuesday, it was the perfect redemption for Lingard, and that was a view held by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"I'm so happy for him because you know it's ups and downs in football, he was low on Tuesday, now high again," the United boss said.
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