Jesse Lingard scored two goals against AndorraJesse Lingard was the star of the show as England swept aside Andorra in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
The midfielder topped the BBC Sport Player Rater after he scored twice and assisted one of the Three Lions’ four goals as they took another step towards securing their place at next year’s tournament in Qatar.
Lingard had been linked with a move to West Ham – where he shone on loan towards the end of last season – but ended up staying at Manchester United after the transfer window closed.
With game time not guaranteed at Old Trafford given the strength of their squad, could a lack of first-team opportunities at club level hamper his international hopes in the run-up to next year’s World Cup?
“Is he going to get a regular game at Manchester United? I don’t think so,” former Norwich, Blackburn and Celtic striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I thought he would go back out on loan. For his England prospects it isn’t good but if he is on this form after 10 minutes [at club level] it’s not bad is it? He looks super, super sharp.”
Former Arsenal and England defender Matthew Upson added: “It is surprising he didn’t get out. He has done well enough to be playing. He did himself proud at West Ham and is an interesting player to look at.
“The blueprint is you have to be playing week in and week out. Can Southgate make an exception about players not playing week in, week out? He hasn’t done in the past.”
Player of the match
LingardJesse Lingard
with an average of 7.32
EnglandSquad number10Player nameLingard
Squad number11Player nameSaka
Squad number7Player nameBellingham
Squad number9Player nameBamford
Squad number23Player nameGrealish
Squad number19Player nameMount
Squad number20Player nameKane
Squad number1Player nameJohnstone
Squad number5Player nameCoady
Squad number6Player nameMings
Squad number4Player nameAlexander-Arnold
Squad number8Player nameHenderson
Squad number2Player nameJames
Squad number3Player nameTrippier
AndorraSquad number10Player nameLudovic Clemente
Squad number21Player nameMarc García
Squad number8Player nameMarcio Vieira
Squad number20Player nameMax Llovera
Squad number1Player nameJosep Gomes
Squad number3Player nameMarc Vales
Squad number16Player nameÁlex Martínez
Squad number14Player nameChristian Garcia
Squad number15Player nameMoi San Nicolás
Squad number4Player nameMarc Rebés
Squad number19Player nameCucu
Squad number9Player nameAarón Sánchez
Squad number18Player nameChus Rubio
Squad number23Player nameJordi Rubio
Squad number6Player nameIldefons Lima
Squad number17Player nameJoan Cervós