Lingard scored the winner against former club West Ham to ensure Manchester United took home all three points from a thrilling encounter in the Premier League on Sunday
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West Ham v Manchester United, Match in Pictures
David Moyes has detailed the conversation he had with Jesse Lingard after his match-winning goal for Manchester United against former club West Ham.
Lingard spent the second half of last season on loan at the London Stadium, scoring nine goals in 16 Premier League matches, helping fire the Irons to Europa League qualification.
The midfielder struck in the 89th minute on Sunday to give the Red Devils all three points from a thrilling encounter which saw David De Gea save a penalty from Mark Noble deep into stoppage-time.
After the final whistle had blown, Moyes spoke to Lingard after his ex-player broke West Ham’s defiant defence after his error for United against Young Boys on Tuesday.
“I was laughing but more importantly, I said how well he recovered from his mistake in midweek; he makes a mistake which probably cost Manchester United a first win in the Champions League,” he explained.
“But that’s what football does you always get a second chance in football to bounce back. Jesse got a second chance to bounce back as a player when he was at West Ham last year so we’ll always be grateful, for what he did for us,” the Scot stated.
“I wish he hadn’t scored but we had a chance to get a draw out of it and we missed our chance.”
Solskjaer said of Lingard post-match: “[It was a] great goal, [we are] so happy for Jesse.
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“Of course he had a tough evening on Tuesday but he’s knuckled down, he’s worked hard, his same bright positive lad, what a goal so happy for him.
“Great pass from Nemanja, good turn and a great finish.”
Moyes was criticised for his decision to hand Noble the penalty straight after the Irons’ club captain had come on as a substitute.
The West Ham boss entrusted the 34-year-old to score with his first touch of the game but De Gea guessed right and made his first penalty save since April 2016.
But Moyes believed he was right to make the call, telling Sky Sports: “Look at his record, his record’s very good.
“I think I would’ve been more disappointed if I hadn’t made the decision than if I did, it just didn’t quite work today,” he affirmed.
“I was more influenced by Mark Noble’s record so that’s what I was influenced by.”
Moyes, who briefly managed the Red Devils, praised his players for their ability to compete with United and has challenged his side to go one better.
“I think you’ve got to look at what Manchester United have done in probably getting their position talked about being possible champions,” he said. “I think we’ve given them a run for their money, we want to try and do that with top teams.
“The more times we play at this level the better we’ll become as well, hopefully we’ll improve again.”
The London Stadium was in great voice throughout the 90 minutes – whether that was from the home or away sections – something which also pleased Moyes.
“It was a great atmosphere, I said at the start I felt it was a proper game, tight game, maybe we were unfortunate that we didn’t get a draw out of it and I thought we deserved that.”
