Jesse Lingard could easily have been returning to Old Trafford in a black-and-white shirt and showing the Stretford End exactly what they are missing this weekend with Newcastle United.
Instead, he will watch on from home as a Nottingham Forest player who can't get into Steve Cooper's team after the Welshmen signed an army of new players this summer. Eddie Howe took the rare step of going public on his admiration for Lingard earlier this year after trying to sign him in January.
Back then Howe said: "Jesse Lingard is a player I have always admired. And that's probably the best thing to say."
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And after Newcastle made their move for the England international again in the summer he opted against the move on personal terms before citing he went to Forest because they'd taken the trouble to come to London to speak to him. United chiefs had been prepared to give Lingard the full tour of St James' Park and sit him down to discuss the chance of becoming a major part of Howe's side.
But it has all turned horribly wrong for Lingard and he did not get off the bench for Forest's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Monday evening. For all Forest's investment, the stalemate on MNF demonstrated they are still in a genuine fight to stay in the Premier League as they sit second bottom.
Ex-Man United star Lingard also chose Forest over West Ham, and former Toon and Hammers star Stuart Pearce could not believe he made such a strange decision. Pearce told Talksport: "You make your choice in regard to where you move and where you don’t. I’m on the outside of West Ham now, but I’m still quite astounded.
"The team has not won for a number of games, and Jesse has found himself on the bench."
Cooper leapt out to protect Lingard at a recent Press conference with the ex-Swansea manager under fire. Cooper said: "I don’t think you can go and – with respect – write that just about Jesse.
"He’s a high-profile player but we don’t treat him differently here. He will be feeling exactly like everybody else, I’m sure, but it’s all about looking forward now and improving on what’s happened over the last few weeks, especially."
But Lingard is yet to score or even produce an assist in his first seven games for the Trees - hence why he was dropped in the first place. As Newcastle boss Howe finds himself spoilt for choice with Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron, Ryan Fraser and Jacob Murphy fighting for slots out wide, it feels like Lingard is the only one regretting not signing for the Magpies.
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