Absolutely none of the players listed were regular starters in our PL winning campaigns
Chris Smalling won the league in 10/11 and 12/13:
10/11: 16 league appearances with many of those at RB
12/13: 15 league appearances with some at RB
Hardly call that a regular in 2 PL winning teams.
Phil Jones won the league in 12/13 in which he made 17 league appearances at either CB, RB or DM
Ashley Young in 12/13 made 19 appearances with 0 goals 5 assists
We have never seriously challenged for the league with those players as starters. That is facts unless you count the season we finished 2nd 19 points behind City a title challenge. Ok we won the FA Cup and Europa League with these players but those are second rate trophies in the midst of our worst period post Fergie with those players as starters.
If they are bench options then fair enough but nothing indicates someone like Lingard is a bench option. I'd also argue that an attacking player who is going well over 1000+ minutes/7 months of football without a goal or assist isn't good enough to be a bench option for this club.
Smalling missed three months of the 12/13 season with injury and 10/11 he still played despite Ferdinand and Vidic.
Jones also missed 3 months of the 12/13 season with injury - been very unlucky with injuries
Young in 10/11 played 34 league games and in 12/13 he returned from a very long injury in 2012 but came back in as soon as he was ready
So all 3 played when they were fit were key components of our first xi squad.
In our second place finish in 2016-17 Lingard 25, Smalling 18, Jones 18 and Young 12 appearances in the league so all contributed.
In our successful European campaign Lingard and Smalling made 10 appearances each.
So I would say they have done pretty well for us. Jones has just been unfortunate with injuries.
If you don't rate then - fair enough but it is not as though we have not bought defenders. They have had competition for their places just not lost them so they must be doing something right.
I also rate the Europa league win as well. It is very difficult to win.
As to Lingard he like pretty much all the team could have played better on occasions last season but I am certain he will be back to form this season. I think he is a quality player with the physique to complete in the PL.