Does Jesse Lingard’s brace get him a place in Ole’s weekend plans?

England continued their unbeaten form in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier’s as they breezed past Andorra 4-0.

Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard was on hand to score a brace, in a much-changed team that saw Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold start in central midfield rather than his more natural right-back role.

Captain Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka rounded off the victory to leave the Three Lions 6 points clear at the top of Group I.

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Gareth Southgate made 11 changes following the thrashing of Hungary on Thursday. Patrick Bamford was granted his debut, Saka was brought back in, there were chances for Jude Bellingham and Jesse Lingard and 3 right-backs started in, Kieran Trippier, Reece James and Alexander-Arnold.

England began the game in control as expected, but struggled to find a breakthrough, despite camping on the edge of the Andorra box.

The Andorran resolve would not last long though, with Lingard slotting home a left-foot finish after some fancy footwork from Bellingham after 20 minutes of football played.

England then thought they had a second goal a few moments later as Lingard lifted the ball over the keeper after making a run in behind, though the Warrington born player was judged to be offside.

The Three Lions then stuttered, failing to really break down the Andorra defence, despite continued pressure from the likes of Bellingham, Lingard and Saka.

It took until the 72nd minute for the home side to find the net again. Substitute Mason Mount was taken down in the box by Christian Garcia and Harry Kane, also a substitute, smashed home the penalty and his 40th goal for England to make it 2-0.

The 156th ranked team in the world began to show tired legs as Lingard took advantage, cutting in from the left, and slotting round the keeper for his second.

England rounded up their second 4-0 win in a matter of days, with Saka heading in an Alexander-Arnold corner to score on his 20th birthday.

The result will be no surprise but will come with extra optimism, given the 11 changes made by Gareth Southgate and still fielding a side that played good football and got the job done.

England will take on Poland in their last game of this international break, and it will be arguably their hardest test yet in these qualifiers.

Jesse Lingard’s performance gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer something to think about when they face Newcastle on the weekend.

In the return of Premier League action, Matchday 4, the Red Devils like five other top-flight clubs, are unbeaten over the first three league outings. Now comes the first set of fixtures after the international break – an interval known to interrupt the rhythm of many – especially those on a stellar run.

However, in return, some players who are yet to find their form or get a go in the first three games, get a chance to find their feet and improve their form – one such person – Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard.

The midfielder, who was the subject of an Old Trafford exit, put in an extra shift when playing for his country, scoring two of the four goals on the day. This certainly has to get him into the United manager’s plans for the fixture against the Magpies.

One of the struggling teams in these early stages of the EPL travels to the Theatre of Dreams and must try to pick up their first three points of the campaign. Lingard has given Ole an extra option with the player yet to make a start for his club this season.

This match could be the perfect platform for the Englishman to get his first start. He appears to be in the form of his life and has never truly digressed since making the switch to East London with West Ham last term.

He has only played five minutes of Premier League football, coming on as a substitution in their shock draw against Southampton. Ole needs to give him a go despite the plethora of talent in the same position Jesse Lingard operates in.