This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Speaking after the club’s 2-1 defeat to FC Astana, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Jesse Lingard’s performance.
What did he say?
The England international was named captain for the Europa League clash on Thursday night, as United fielded their youngest ever starting eleven in major European competition.
Despite being unable to inspire his team to victory, Lingard did manage to break his 28-game goal-scoring duck with a fine strike in the first-half and recorded an impressive 97 touches, with Solskjaer later praising the attacking midfielder’s influence.
He said (as quoted by the club’s official website): “Goalscoring is important for forwards, of course, and Jesse scored a very good goal. But I thought his performance was top class. He led the team by example: energy, drive, he scored a goal, and he was great in the dressing room. So he’s done himself proud today, I think.
“I thought Jesse was excellent. He is nearly 27 and an experienced player, and he’s been very good on the whole trip with the young boys. I’m very pleased with his performance on the pitch as well. It’s good to have Jesse back.”
Confidence
Make no mistake about it, Lingard’s goal is a major confidence booster for a player who has been devoid of it for some time now. The fact he had gone 28 games without scoring one despite playing as an attacking midfielder just under-lined his incredible struggles, culminating in Solskjaer preferring the likes of Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira in the number ten role.
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Lingard has played ten times in the Premier League, but that has only amounted to 444 minutes of action, with him either coming off the bench or being hooked before the game has finished. Amid suggestions the club are looking to sign James Maddison from Leicester, the United ace scoring has just come at the right time in respect to his own personal future at the club.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have slammed one academy prospect for his performance in the defeat to FC Astana.
