Jack Wilshere has urged Manchester United star Jesse Lingard not to seal a permanent move to West Ham this month, despite barely featuring under Ralf Rangnick.
The 29-year-old joined the east London club on loan last January and enjoyed a sensational return to form, scoring nine goals and notching five assists in 16 Premier League games to help the Hammers finish sixth.
England boss Gareth Southgate was suitably impressed by Lingard’s renaissance and brought him back into the international fold, however he just missed out on a place in the Euro 2020 squad.
West Ham manager David Moyes attempted to bring the United star back to the club in the summer, but former Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer indicated that he would be in his plans for this season.
However, Lingard has been a peripheral figure at Old Trafford, scoring just twice in 12 games and the Hammers are keen to bring him back to the London Stadium.
His deal with United expires in the summer meaning he is free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, but Wilshere has advised the England midfielder to enjoy being at such a big club for as long as possible.
“I think after the six months he had at West Ham, he probably thought he was going to get a chance [at Manchester United]. He probably deserved a chance," Wilshere told talkSPORT.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens this window. He probably deserves to play, he’ll feel he deserves to play.
“The grass ain’t always greener. I had this a few times at Arsenal with players who didn’t want to be there.
“Sometimes you need to sit back and look at how lucky you are to be at a big club like that and the fans…
“All right, they’re not challenging but it’s still a big club and teams go there and are intimidated by that. To be on that side of the fence rather than going to them places makes a massive difference.”
