West Ham coach Stuart Pearce insisted that Jesse Lingard is 'too good a player' to warm the bench at Old Trafford.
Lingard enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Hammers last season. He recorded nine goals and four assists, winning plaudits for his performances.
West Ham had been keen to bring Lingard back to east London this summer but a deal failed to materialise as the club refused to meet Manchester United's asking price.
West Ham coach Stuart Pearce insists that Jesse Lingard is 'too good' to be fringe player
Despite West Ham's eagerness to make the deal permanent before the transfer window slammed shut, the 28-year-old returned to Manchester United to fight for his place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad.