Lingard and Ronaldo - then and now on Twitter

Sunday 12 September 2021 11:12

Having been mentored during his time in the Manchester United Academy ranks by Cristiano Ronaldo, Jesse Lingard got the opportunity to play alongside his new team-mate for the first time during Saturday’s win over Newcastle United.

The 28-year-old was introduced as a 66th-minute substitute at Old Trafford and rounded off a perfect afternoon for the Reds, after Ronaldo had earlier scored a brace, by netting our fourth and final goal in the win. 

Lingard was bursting with pride as he celebrated his strike and it was clear to the capacity crowd just how much the goal meant to him. 

During those scenes, Jesse was congratulated by Cristiano, and it was a moment captured and re-posted on social media by our no.14, due to its special personal significance.

Lingard has shown in the past that he is a great admirer of Ronaldo, including last week when his goal celebration for England paid homage, and that appreciation seems to go way back. 

In the time since our no.7 returned, you may have seen a couple of photos and videos flying round of when Ronaldo dropped into an Academy session during his first spell at the club, to offer tips to some budding youngsters. Among those watching on in amazement was a young Lingard. 

And after his first link-up with the Portuguese as a senior United player, he posted the two pictures alongside each other with the accompanying caption: “Dream big kids.”

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