Man Utd's Jesse Lingard "holding the cards" could disrupt Declan Rice pursuit

Jesse Lingard is "holding all the cards" regarding his Manchester United future according to West Ham assistant Stuart Pearce.

The midfielder recently turned down a contract offer at Old Trafford with less than 12 months to run on his current deal.

Lingard was a huge success at the London Stadium in the latter part of last season, scoring nine times after joining on loan in January.

The 28-year-old has doubts over his playing time in Manchester and could still review his options - something Pearce expects him to do.

West Ham were keen to bring the player back, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was adamant he had a role to play.

United have been linked with current Hammers star Declan Rice, who has made it clear he doesn't intend to sign a new deal in east London.

Jesse Lingard has been linked with a West Ham return but Man Utd remain keen on Declan Rice

Any move for Lingard may yet see the Red Devils try and negotiate a move for Rice, who is on their shortlist next summer according to reports.

Nevertheless, Pearce is adamant that the United midfielder, who has played four minutes this season, is too good to be sat on the bench.

"He's missed the opportunity to leave United in this transfer window," the West Ham coach told talkSPORT.

"He can reassess his situation come January once again and decide whether there's an opportunity to move clubs. He holds the cards, Jesse.

"The most important thing for him at the moment is his football. He's playing the odd game for United and also playing extremely well for England - and those performances for England might help him get in the United side.

"I think he's too good a player to be sat on the outside of it not playing and he's at an age where he needs to be playing."

Lingard failed to make a single appearance in the league before he headed out on loan last term.

He faces competition from the likes of Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford.

The former was signed from Borussia Dortmund as one of three new faces.

Solskjaer had been looking to bring in a new central midfielder, but ultimately opted against.

Rice is a leading candidate but David Moyes has already slapped a £100m price tag on him.

"We've got some players that we value at £100million and we won't be selling them," he said.

"That's the way it is, you're not going to get rid of your better players, you don't do it. And if you are then it's going to be for huge money.

"So from that point of view I think the clubs are right to do so. But I think there are an awful lot of other clubs that are probably not able to pay that money and look to those levels."