Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's failed promise has cost Manchester United millions

For all of Manchester United's mistakes this season, the decision to not let go of Jesse Lingard is certainly amongst the most baffling.

After finding opportunities non-existent in the first-half of the 2020/21 season, the attacking-midfielder joined West Ham United on loan for the remainder of the season in January 2021. It was an opportunity for him to get his career back on track after it had been forced to ground to a halt at Old Trafford.

Although everyone was optimistic that a temporary stint at the London Stadium would serve Lingard well, nobody was prepared for what followed. After scoring twice on his debut in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park, the England international ended his temporary stint as a West Ham player with nine goals and five assists to his name.

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A tally of 14 direct goal contributions in 16 Premier League appearances was not bad going, was it? It put him firmly in the shop window ahead of the 2021 summer transfer window opening and it was only going to be a matter of time before United were falling over themselves with offers.

Considering Lingard was about to enter the final year of his contract, it seemed like the appropriate time for United to cash-in and secure the best possible price for one of their own. He had lit up the Premier League during his time at West Ham and his stock had never been greater.

But instead of making the decision to offload Lingard and earn a respectable transfer fee, United, who are set to lose the former Derby County loanee for free at the end of this season, decided to retain his services, even when they knew Bruno Fernandes was ahead of him in the pecking order and they had just added