Former Manchester United striker and England international Michael Owen has slammed Jesse Lingard's response to his late winner against his former side West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
Owen bizarrely criticised Lingard after his last-gasp heroics handed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side all three points in what was one of the most dramatic Premier League games thus far this season.
Lingard was introduced off the bench with less than 20 minutes to go, before he curled home a delightful effort into the top corner of Lukasz Fabiański's net, before United shot-stopper David de Gea saved Mark Noble's stoppage time penalty after Luke Shaw was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area with seconds left.
England star Lingard spent the latter half of last term on loan at West Ham, where he scored nine goals in 16 appearances and revived a flat-lining career.
Lingard's spell at the London Stadium was so promising he played his way back into the international fold, the attacker earning a place in Gareth Southgate's provisional England squad for Euro 2020.
The 28-year-old played his way into the hearts of the West Ham faithful while he was there and as a result, kept his celebration muted once he found the net on Sunday.
Owen however, was disappointed with Lingard's response and claimed he could not believe someone would not celebrate given the context of the goal.
"The finish is absolutely sublime," Owen told Premier League Productions. "The only thing that is poor about the whole scenario is that he doesn’t celebrate.
"I can’t believe players don’t celebrate when they score a goal against their old club, he was only there two minutes
"If he didn’t want to score, if he’s not that happy don’t pull the trigger, pass the ball, if that’s the case.
"It’s the only thing that lets him down there, because everything else is absolutely spectacular."
Lingard however, explained his actions after the game, telling MUTV : "It was a great reception from the West Ham fans. I had a brilliant time here, but I had to do my bit today.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Owen right in his assessment of Lingard's 'celebration'? Comment below.
"They supported me in the loan spell and gave me a great reception, so it was only right to pay them back."
The goal helped keep United joint top of the table alongside title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, all three sides level on 13 points after five games played.
United sit third given their inferior goal difference, but they could have been cast further adrift if it not were for the late heroics of both Lingard and De Gea at the Lonndon Stadium.
.jpg?w=600)
