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LING AND A PRAYER

Jesse Lingard insists Man Utd will be title challengers if Solskjaer gets job full-time

Midfielder and his team-mates have been in stunning form since the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho

Jesse Lingard, right, has backed Man United to be back challenging for the title next season if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, remains in charge

JESSE LINGARD insists Manchester United will be title challengers again next season.

And the in-form midfielder believes it should be caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leading the Red Devils into battle.

 Jesse Lingard, right, has backed Man United to be back challenging for the title next season if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, remains in charge
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Jesse Lingard, right, has backed Man United to be back challenging for the title next season if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, remains in chargeCredit: PA:Press Association

Lingard, 26, and his United team-mates are ten games unbeaten since the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho in the dug-out in December.

Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino continues to be linked with becoming the club’s next full-time manager, but it seems the squad already know who they want marshalling the Old Trafford touchline long-term.

Speaking to the , midfielder Lingard said: “Solskjaer and Mike Phelan have brought back the old school Manchester United.

“They know the league and the club inside out so to pass that on and get us playing how we are has been perfect.

 Lingard and his United team-mates have hit top form under Solskjaer in recent weeks
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Lingard and his United team-mates have hit top form under Solskjaer in recent weeksCredit: Getty
 Mike Phelan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have got United 'back to basics', according to the midfielder
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Mike Phelan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have got United 'back to basics', according to the midfielderCredit: PA:Press Association

“Solskjaer is doing very well. Nobody can fault him.

“He has taken a lot on but he already knew what he was doing when he came in. He got the players backing him straight away.


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“He told us there are big expectations and pressure at this club but we have to deal with it and play like a real United team.”

Manchester United’s last lifted the Premier League title in 2013 in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at the helm.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho have all tried and failed to secure a 21st championship for the club since then.

But Lingard is adamant United will be back battling neighbours Man City and rivals Liverpool for top spot in 12 months if Solskjaer remains.

He said: “We will challenge for the title next season if we carry on how we are now.

“We're back to basics and winning games by grinding out results or scoring a lot of goals.

“As long as we're winning games that's all that matters.”

 Man United have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson guided them to top spot in 2013
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Man United have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson guided them to top spot in 2013Credit: Getty Images
 Lingard is adamant Solskjaer will have the Red Devils challenging for top spot next season
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Lingard is adamant Solskjaer will have the Red Devils challenging for top spot next seasonCredit: PA:Empics Sport

United still harbour hopes of Champions League glory this season.

Paris Saint-Germain head to Manchester on Tuesday without injured talisman Neymar for the first-leg of their last-16 clash.

And Lingard says he and his rejuvenated colleagues cannot wait for kick-off.

He added: “You want to play in those big games - that's why you play football. The bigger the games, the better.

“You can't get bigger than facing PSG in the Champions League at Old Trafford.”

Manchester United have picked up four more points than any other team in the Premier League since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over
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