Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that Jesse Lingard would prefer to sign for West Ham permanently than remain a "bit-part" player at Manchester United.

£75,000-a-week man Lingard hadn't played a single minute of Premier League football prior to his move to the London Stadium in January, but with nine goals and four assists in 11 appearances, no one has scored more than him since his Hammers debut.

His second-half penalty in the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle earlier this month meant he'd scored in five consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career.

But Lingard's impressive performances have led to speculation that United want to offer him a bumper new contract, with his current deal expiring next summer.

However, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boasting an array of attacking talent at Old Trafford, McAvennie believes that Lingard's chances would be limited, meaning a permanent West Ham move remains his best option.

He told Football FanCast:

"I can see him staying at West Ham over Man United because he's enjoying it. He is absolutely loving his football, I never saw that boy smiling in Manchester once.

"They've got Greenwood, Cavani, Rashford, who are they going to drop? They're not going to drop Fernandes. Pogba is coming onto it again now, he's going to be a bit-part player again.

"Ole is not that good of a manager to keep him happy if he's not playing."