Lingard out to silence critics

The United academy product broke into the squad late compared to others, but has since gone about proving that not only is he good enough to play for the club, but they can also rely on him on the biggest of occasions.

The 24-year-old scored in United's EFL Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs in recent years and is keen to continue in the same vein.

Such has been his progress that he was rewarded with a new four-year deal in April, tying him to the club until the summer of 2021.

Lingard was understandably grateful for his new deal and insisted he would pay United back: "I was coming down to my last year and it was good that Manchester United put that trust in me. Hopefully I can repay them now," he commented.

It could have been very different for Lingard, who feared his United career was over after getting injured early on in Louis Van Gaal's spell in charge: "I knew the season (after) I had to kick on and do well," he explained. "You know, even then it took me until the end of October to play my first game when I came on against Everton at half-time."

'I've not looked back since. I played pretty much every game that season and played most games last season as well.

The winger is also setting his sights on a place in Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad, but insists that Club comes before country for now: "I've obviously known Gareth at Under 21 level," Lingard pointed out. "He is a great manager to work under, he lets you have that freedom when you're playing on the field, which is good for the forwards especially."

"We created that bond at Under 21 level and obviously he's taken it to the first-team level as well."

"I think that's the main aim," he added. "First and foremost you've got to concentrate on Manchester United and getting the job done here."

"If you have a good season, then you get picked for the World Cup."

Though the 4 time England international insisted that he was only focused on Manchester United for now: "At the moment I am concentrating on playing as many games as I can and doing well for the club, and then we'll see what happens at the end of the season," he said.

Finally, Lingard was asked about close friend Marcus Rashford's ability and he was predictably complementary: "You can see already (how special he is)," Lingard said. "The age he is at the moment and the talent he's got."

"It is going to be frightening what he is going to be like in two or three years' time. I can't wait to see that blossom."

No doubt Lingard would love to still be lining up alongside Rashford in a Manchester United shirt in a few years time, but both players still have a lot of work to do if they want to make that a reality.