After several frustrating months on the sidelines, Jesse Lingard was back to his attacking best for United’s under 21s against Liverpool on Monday night.
The 22-year-old, who was substituted in United’s first Premier League game of the season after suffering a knee injury, returned to action for the reserves at Norwich two weeks ago and is gradually returning to the form and fitness which saw him star for the first team.
Lingard impressed for United’s reserves against Liverpool, starting at number-ten and dropping slightly deeper in the second half. Playing the full ninety minutes the youngster helped United maintain possession for long periods of the match. Nick Powell carved out the Red Devil’s opener, after getting his head to a pin point Andreas Pereira cross, and Paddy McNair scored United’s winner with an uncharacteristic strike from inside the penalty area after Liverpool had equalised. But it was the returning Lingard who caught the eye in a 2-1 victory, fantastic in possession and determined off the ball.
The youngster will definitely be in the thoughts of first team boss Louis van Gaal for the upcoming matches against Leicester City, Cambridge United and Burnley. LVG will of course know all about. Lingard, after he impressed during the summer’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Lingard’s return to fitness will provide LVG’s side with a much needed injury boost going into the back end of the season. United fans will be excited to see what Lingard can bring to the first team fold after promising so much on loan last year. The 22 year old has demonstrated his versatility, impressing in both attacking midfield and at right wing back. It’s time for him to cement himself in the first team setup and with the battle for Champions League places set to go right to the wire, there’s no time like the present.
