Dean Windass reckons that Jesse Lingard will be like a new signing for Manchester United.

Lingard didn't play a single minute in the Premier League for his boyhood club in the Premier League last season, which appeared to mark the end of his Old Trafford career.

However, following one of the more memorable loan spells in recent seasons at West Ham during the second half of last season, the 28-year-old is back in Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer's plans.

Lingard scored nine times, more than any of his United teammates during that period, and laid on five assists to help the Hammers qualify for the Europa League.

David Moyes' side have tried to re-sign Lingard permanently this summer, with his deal at United in the final 12 months.

However, Lingard's been heavily involved in pre-season and is likely to remain with Solskjaer's men for the upcoming campaign.

He won't be available for United's season-opener against rivals Leeds this weekend after testing positive for COVID-19, but Windass believes he'll be a great option for the United manager.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

"He'll be like a new signing for Ole. They will get him in the office and say, 'you've gone and done that for West Ham, go and do that for us. We know how good a player you are, you've gone out on loan and proved me wrong, if you do well by Christmas, you'll get a new contract'."