Five things we learned from Lingard's UTD Podcast
Jesse Lingard is the first current Manchester United player to speak on the UTD Podcast and his episode is a fascinating, revealing listen.
The Academy graduate opens up on a number of topics during the the latest show, such as his progression into the first team, working under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his career highlight to date.
Here are five things that Jesse reveals during the podcast, which is available from our official music partner Deezer and your usual podcast providers.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
As a youngster who was entering the senior squad, Lingard was surrounded by experienced pros such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, all of whom were more than happy to share some words of wisdom with the emerging Academy prospect.
“Most of the players did that [gave advice] in the first team, especially when you’re going on pre-season tour and you’re one of the youngsters,” says our no.14. “You get the likes of Rio [Ferdinand] putting their arm round you and they say ‘enjoy yourself, play your own game’. That does give you confidence. The staff at the time - Sir Alex and Rene [Meulensteen] - they were amazing as well when I was coming through.”
As part of his education, Lingard was sent on loan to four different clubs and the midfielder feels those experiences played a vital role in his development.
“It was good. I went to play minutes and get matches,” he explains. “When you get there and people are playing for points - that’s when you really know [what it’s like to be a footballer] and you’ve got to help them. You don’t want to go in and fob it off because you’re going back to Man United. You need to knuckle down and help them. It was the real world.”
As a lifelong Red, Jesse grew up with the United chants and admits he has, at times, found himself humming along with the supporters when on the pitch.
“That’s the affect it can have. You can feel it on the pitch,” the 26-year-old reveals. “At away games, you can hear them over some of the home fans and you really get that boost to go on and win the game, they are like the 12th man.”
Speaking on the podcast, Lingard also reveals his favourite away grounds are Goodison Park, Anfield and the Etihad Stadium.
"You never want to lose that feeling of winning a trophy. Any trophy you win is great and you can’t beat that buzz."
THE HAIRDRYER TREATMENT
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is known as the ‘baby-faced assassin’ by fans and many of his former team-mates, including UTD Podcast co-host David May, but the boss also has a stern side, according to Lingard. When asked what it’s like to play under the Norwegian, Jesse says: “He has a little hairdryer in him. Just a little one! It’s good, though, and things like that can always help.”
HIS BEST MOMENT... SO FAR!
The Warrington-born star scored memorable goals at Wembley Stadium in the 2016 FA Community Shield and 2017 League Cup final, yet neither of those compare to his winner in the 2016 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
“I think it’s the sweetest I’ve ever hit a ball,” says Lingard. “The FA Cup was one of the first trophies we’d won since I was in the first team. You never want to lose that feeling of winning a trophy. The celebrations after were great. Any trophy you win is great and you can’t beat that buzz.
“Winning trophies is the main thing,” he adds. “I’ve won The EFL Cup, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Europa League. Manchester United is a club that has always won trophies, we’ve always had winners in the team. They’re the key moments in my career, setting aside the World Cup, which was an amazing experience. But, at club level, trophies are massive and to score in three out of four of them is huge as well.”
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