Sir Alex Ferguson was right about many things at Manchester United, and his Jesse Lingard prediction was spot on
Having just scored his 10th goal of the season with a wonderful curling effort against Everton at Goodison Park, Lingard is on fire with eight goals in 13 appearances
SIR ALEX FERGUSON was right about many things in his trophy laden career as Manchester United manager and he was spot on when he said this in 2012 about a certain Warrington-born player.
He said: “Jesse Lingard is going to be some player. He is 19, came through our youth system and is built like Jean Tigana was for France.
"But he never got into the limelight there until he was about 24 and I think that will be the same with Lingard.”
Lingard turned 25 in December and is in the form of his life.
Having just scored his 10th goal of the season with a wonderful curling effort against Everton at Goodison Park, Lingard is on fire with eight goals in 13 appearances.
This includes hugely important goals away to Watford, Arsenal and Everton - as well as a double against Burnley from the bench including a last gasp equaliser.
Lingard has become one of United’s most influential players and only Harry Kane (eight) has scored more goals than Lingard (six) since the start of December.
Once labelled a dab merchant by rival fans, as well as some United fans too, Lingard has proven his doubters wrong and then some.
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I’ve never understood the criticism fired at Lingard.
He’s a local lad whose been at the club since he was eight, scored the winner in an FA Cup final, scored in the League Cup final and has always given 100 per cent effort on the pitch.
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Yes, there’s been plenty of frustration along the way but the criticism aimed towards Lingard, which has verged on vitriol on times, has been unwarranted and over the top.
Now, Lingard is one of the first names on the team sheet and deservedly so.
I don’t think there is anybody in this United squad who is more intelligent off the ball than Lingard - his movement is phenomenal and, combined with pace and real stamina, it makes Lingard so difficult for a defender to mark.
But the thing he’s always needed to improve was his finishing and that’s what has been most impressive about his run of form since December.
Take his goal away at Watford as an example. United turned a 3-0 lead into a nervous 3-2 game with six minutes remaining, it was squeaky bum time.
Lingard then took it upon himself, ran from his own half with the ball, turned Watford’s whole defence inside out and slid a fine finish into the corner to seal a win for United.
If Lionel Messi scored that goal, it would have been hailed as a potential goal of the season.
And look at his goal against Everton. He followed up a great touch with an even better finish. It was accomplished, it was world class.
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His celebration - putting his finger to his mouth to silence his critics - was symbolic of his uphill struggle against those who doubt him but he has absolutely silenced those critics this season and plenty owe an apology to Lingard now.
Mourinho is getting the best out of Lingard by using him correctly and it’s fantastic to see because he’s an academy product who is blossoming into a wonderful footballer now.
He shouldn’t build his team around Lingard but with his off the ball movement and close friendship with Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba, Lingard is on the way to making himself an integral part of this United squad and a first-team regular under Mourinho.
Criticise him all you want but in this current form, Lingard is undroppable and I didn’t think I would ever say that.