Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson told his family that by the age of 22 or 23 he would be a Red Devils player.
Lingard came up through the United academy and made his debut for the club in the very first game of the Louis van Gaal regime.
He was always a late developer and now Lingard has revealed that when he was younger, Ferguson told his family that he believed the winger would be of Man United’s quality by the age of 22.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the game against Arsenal on Sunday, Lingard also added that he used to idolise Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
“I remember him meeting me and my family at Old Trafford and he said, ‘At 22/23, Jesse will come of age and be a Manchester United player’. Now that’s what happened, so thank you Sir Alex.”
Lingard also reflected on some of Man United’s famous wins and his heroes growing up.
“I remember Solskjaer scoring to win the Champions League and Giggsy’s famous run against Arsenal,” Lingard explained.
“It was the 6-1 game [against Arsenal], I went with my Grandad. He taught me a lot of my early skills and got me my first kit.
“I used to idolise Giggs and Scholes. With Giggs it’s great to still have him around and to be able to go to him for
guidance and help. Paul Scholes is so humble and just an absolute legend.”
Ferguson was proven right as Lingard broke through at the age of 22, after a few loan spells and now he’s an important player for Van Gaal.
This season the winger has scored four goals in the Premier League, including one stunner against Chelsea recently, and he’s really worked his way into the team now, and deserves his chance.
With Anthony Martial struggling with a hamstring injury and captain Wayne Rooney definitely out with injury it’s important that Lingard steps up in such a big game against the Gunners.
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