Lingard raring to go against Bournemouth
Jesse Lingard is itching to restart his season, after overcoming a groin issue in time for Mancheser United's Premier League game at Bournemouth.
The Reds' no.14 appeared in the 95th minute of last weekend’s 2-1 win against Everton at Old Trafford, but has not started a match since the Carabao Cup tie against Derby on 25 September.
Our Academy graduate played six of England's seven matches during this summer's World Cup in Russia, after 48 appearances under Jose Mourinho during the preceding domestic season, which naturally led to some fatigue. Now recovered from injury, Lingard is primed for a full return to action.
“Obviously I played a lot of games last season and went straight into the World Cup,” said the Warrington-born forward. “I played most of the games there and my body was fatigued. My groin started playing up a bit, on the bone, so I had to be careful with that.
“For the first few games [of the current season], it limited me in a way and I couldn’t perform to my maximum. I knew I had to stop and rest it for a while. I’ve done that now and feel 100 per cent and raring to go against Bournemouth.
“I think if I’d carried on, it’d have got worse,” he admitted. “There is still a lot of the season to play and I thought I’d rather get the rest now. Rest up and recover it well for the upcoming matches.”
Unfortunately, that meant sitting out blockbuster fixtures like the trip to Chelsea and the visit of Juventus, which Jesse admits was frustrating.
“These big games are what you play for,” Lingard confessed. “The more pressure there is, you fire off that pressure. They're the games you want to be involved in, like everyone else."
Thankfully, plenty of big games lie in wait, with journeys to Juventus and Manchester City closely following the Bournemouth match. The 25-year-old believes his team have built some encouraging momentum, aside from the recent home defeat to Juve.
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But while a glamorous sojourn to Turin and the Manchester derby naturally pop out of the fixture list, first the Reds must deal with Eddie Howe’s thriving Cherries.
“Bournemouth are playing very well at the moment,” acknowledges Lingard. “It’s a tough place to go. It’s a small stadium and the crowd gets up for it, so it can make it difficult for you. It’s all about mentality and how we go into the game. If we have that mentality, confidence about winning the game with no pressure, and enjoying the game I’m sure we’ll win it.
“It’ll be a tough game. But as long as we’re there, giving 100 per cent and can fight for each other, I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t win.”
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“Bournemouth are playing very well at the moment,” acknowledges Lingard. “It’s a tough place to go. It’s a small stadium and the crowd gets up for it, so it can make it difficult for you. It’s all about mentality and how we go into the game. If we have that mentality, confidence about winning the game with no pressure, and enjoying the game I’m sure we’ll win it.
“It’ll be a tough game. But as long as we’re there, giving 100 per cent and can fight for each other, I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t win.”
Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.
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