JESSE LINGARD should leave Manchester United on a permanent transfer because the Red Devils have 'moved past him', according to Rio Ferdinand.

The playmaker is on loan at West Ham from the Red Devils until the end of the season, but Ferdinand – who played for both clubs – thinks it's time he left for good.

Lingard, 28, has enjoyed a fine start to life in East London – scoring two on his debut at Aston Villa before another superb performance in Monday's 3-0 home win over Sheffield United.

And Ferdinand, 42, thinks the England international should be targetting a permanent move away from Old Trafford at the end of the campaign – to the Hammers or beyond.

Speaking from the London Stadium on pundit duty for BT, Ferdinand said: "He has experience of being on loan at clubs, this is nothing new to him.

"I think more importantly what's his ambition here, beyond this season. What is he looking to do?

"If West Ham don't put a bid in the buy him at the end of this loan I think this loan has to be seen as a failure.

"That's got to be his aim – to get a bid from West Ham and other clubs to take him out of Man Utd.

"Because I don't see him going back to Man Utd and really affecting that squad now.

"I think they've moved past him with the players they've recruited, he doesn't feature and hasn't done for so long."

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Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek are all ahead of Lingard at United.

But ahead of West Ham's win against the Blades, Lingard said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn't give him a chance at United after lockdown despite him being one of the 'fittest and strongest in the squad'.

But Ferdinand thinks it's time to look forward and not back for Lingard – who won a penalty and helped move David Moyes' team up to fourth before Chelsea beat Newcastle to move above them.

The former centre-back added: "I just think this is a new chapter for him to go and prove himself again and go on to enjoy your football.

"When you're not playing I don't care who you are or what you do off the pitch you don't enjoy your life. He's been in that position for far too long.

"I personally think he needs to look at a new chapter in his life and that's without Manchester United.

"Sometimes your time just comes to an end at a football club – it's out of your control a lot of the time.

"And I feel he's in a position where he can build a new chapter for himself here and be part of something really enjoyable."

Ferdinand also recalled the time he played with Lingard on a 2013 pre-season tour of Asia and Australia under Moyes at Man Utd when the midfielder was the stand-out performer.

'JESSE WAS THE STAR MAN'

He said: "Jesse was the star man, everything he touched was a bright spark.

"It's a great performance to build off and he's had a great start in the claret and blue shirt. In all areas he was good today, shooting from all areas trying to get on the score sheet.

"When he is in full flow like this he's great to play with. I remember Jesse was the best player on our summer tour under David Moyes at Manchester United.

"He probably looked back at his time coaching him there and thought if I can get him here at West Ham, I can get the best out of him.

"Ability wise he's never been questioned. I've seen him come through the ranks at Manchester United, but last few years he's lost a bit of focus for whatever reason – maybe things off the pitch."

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