Jesse Lingard is too good to be a bit-part player at Manchester United and missed his opportunity to leave the club this summer, according to West Ham coach Stuart Pearce.
Lingard was linked with a move away from Old Trafford all summer after a highly successful loan deal with the Hammers last season saw him score nine goals in 16 games as he helped them to finish in the Europa League places.
He was expected to re-join David Moyes' side on a permanent deal, but with United 's asking price being deemed too high the deal never materialised and Lingard stayed as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad.
The England star has made one substitute appearance so far this season, but scored twice for England as he started in the win over Andorra on Sunday and played well. Now former Man City boss Pearce, who is part of Moyes' staff at the London Stadium, believes the 28-year-old is too good not to be playing every week.
"He has missed the opportunity to leave United in this transfer window," Pearce told TalkSPORT, via Standard.
"He can reassess his situation come January once again and decide whether there is an opportunity to move clubs or whatever. He holds the cards. The most important thing for him at the moment is his football.
"He is playing the odd game for United and playing extremely well for England. Those performances for England might just help get him in the United side.
"He is too good a player to be sat on the outside of it not playing to be honest. He is at an age where he needs to be playing now."
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