West Ham could miss out on signing Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard as Yorkshire Live claimed that Sheffield United are now favourites to capture the England man.
The Hammers have been credited with an interest in Lingard for months and a reunion with David Moyes in east London was believed to be on the cards in January when the transfer window reopens.
However, the report claimed that the two northern clubs’ respective managers have already discussed the move and the 28-year-old could be set to head to Bramall Lane on loan until the end of the season.
Once heralded as ‘unique’ by Manchester United first team coach and former teammate Michael Carrick, Lingard was an integral component of the Old Trafford squad, often stepping up in big games.
Loss of form and confidence have conspired to see the 24-cap England international fall way down the pecking order in Manchester.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
On his day, Lingard would still be considered a valued asset to most Premier League squads, including the West Ham ranks.
However, with so little game-time recently and with the attacking trio of Said Benrahma, Robert Snodgrass and Manuel Lanzini all struggling to break into Moyes’ plans, signing Lingard to likely remain surplus to requirements would have made little sense for the Irons.
