Jesse Lingard says he was told to stay at Manchester United by Louis van Gaal during the pre-season tour of the United States

By Mike Keegan For Mailonline

Published: 09:07 EST, 19 October 2015 | Updated: 10:14 EST, 19 October 2015

Jesse Lingard has revealed Louis van Gaal took him to one side after Manchester United's US Tour and told him to stay at the club.

The talented youngster, 22, stepped off the bench for the second half of United's impressive 3-0 win at Everton on Saturday.

Lingard's 45-minute cameo, which came after he replaced Juan Mata, represented his first action of the season and he admitted he was grateful to get some game time under his belt.

Jesse Lingard has revealed manager Louis van Gaal told him to stay at Manchester United in pre-season

Jesse Lingard has revealed manager Louis van Gaal told him to stay at Manchester United in pre-season

Van Gaal handed Lingard his first minutes of the season in the impressive 3-0 victory att Everton on Saturday

Van Gaal handed Lingard his first minutes of the season in the impressive 3-0 victory att Everton on Saturday

Lingard said he 'was blowing a bit' in the first 10 minutes of his appearance against Everton due to the pace

Lingard said he 'was blowing a bit' in the first 10 minutes of his appearance against Everton due to the pace

'The manager said he wanted me to stay and that he sees me playing games this season,' said Lingard.

'I think this won't have done me any harm, hopefully. He trusts the youth, and we have to repay him by playing well.'

The Warrington-born midfielder scored in United's 3-1 pre-season victory over Barcelona in Santa Clara but has had to be patient since.

'It's great to be back and help the team in any way I can,' he said. 'Most importantly we got the three points and hopefully we can carry on to this week.'

Lingard, an England Under 21 regular, added that he was desperate for more opportunities.

'I want to be doing this week in week out, playing for Man United,' he said. 'But I have got to be patient and wait for my time and it's great that I have got 45 minutes.'

Lingard admitted that, after so long on the sidelines, it took him a while to adjust to the frenetic pace of top-flight football.

'The first 10 minutes I was blowing a bit,' he said. 'But I got my second wind and then got comfortable.'

Lingard also praised the impact of captain Wayne Rooney, who answered his critics with the third goal at his former stomping ground.

'You can tell he is a world class player,' he said. 'You can see that in training every day. He has got goals and he is captain, he leads the team, he sets a great example and we follow him.'

Lingard, who turns 23 in December, added that Rooney had been inspirational.

Lingard has praised the influence of United's captain, Wayne Rooney and says he is different off of the pitch

Lingard has praised the influence of United's captain, Wayne Rooney and says he is different off of the pitch

Lingard says that he looks up to Rooney, who has helped him throughout his time at United

Lingard says that he looks up to Rooney, who has helped him throughout his time at United

The 22-year-old Lingard (left) has previously been on loan at Derby, Brighton, Birmingham and Leicester

The 22-year-old Lingard (left) has previously been on loan at Derby, Brighton, Birmingham and Leicester

'You see him as a friend now, but obviously on the pitch you look up to him,' he said. 'He is a great captain. I have been around him most years anyway, coming through the ranks. I joined at seven, so when we were Under-18s we started mixing with the first team. You see him about, and still then he helped you along the way, as he does now.'

Lingard, who has had spells on loan at Derby, Brighton, Birmingham and Leicester, also revealed that the ferociously competitive Rooney had a different side away from the pitch.

'He is a bubbly character,' he said. 'He might not seem it, but he is. He goes to each group - foreigners, youngsters, he will have chats with everybody and try and help us along the way.' 

 

Comments (98)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now