Ryan Giggs reveals Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard was a ‘nightmare’ to coach – but for the right reasons
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RYAN GIGGS has revealed Jesse Lingard was a "nightmare" to coach - because he did everything right.
The Manchester United legend got stuck into his coaching badges in the latter years of his career.
And he came across a 10-year-old Lingard when putting the United youth ranks through their paces as part of his Uefa A Licence qualifications.
And despite taking his time to adjust to the world of senior football, Giggs reckons Lingard showed all the right signs when he was a fleet-footed youngster.
The 42-year-old said: "I coached him when he was 10 and my subject for my A licence was coaching a No10. It was a nightmare because he did everything right.
"I had nothing to work with. He was an intelligent player even then."
Lingard has been a regular feature under both Louis van Gaal and now under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, regularly starting on the right flank ahead of the likes of Memphis Depay.
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But it has not been a straight path to the United first-team, being loaned out to Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby along the way.
And many have questioned why he has been selected for Gareth Southgate's most recent England squad - but with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana being injured, the 23-year-old has a golden chance to shine for his national team in Slovenia, after playing in the 2-0 win over Malta.
Giggs thinks the versatile wide-midfielder deserves his shot, before taking the next step to evolve his career.
He added: "Lingard has progressed, he's not one of the 18 or 19-year-olds that set the world on fire. He's taken a bit of time and has gone out on loan to three or four clubs.
"He's trying to sort out what type of player he is because he can play a number of positions.
"He's a player who gives energy, scores goals and is a real team player but now at 23, he's got to kick on."
Nevertheless, Lingard is becoming a model for progressing the hard way through the ranks. Leicester's Demarai Gray has even been urged to copy the United ace's progress.
Interim Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd said: "You have to look at some of the players who have played in the U-21 group and have pushed on to bigger and better things in terms of their clubs and at senior level as well.
"Jesse Lingard is a good example - he was playing for the 21s, was out of his club side, got back in his club side, was outstanding against Malta and has sort of put himself right there in Gareth's thoughts."
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