Why his performance against Middlesbrough should earn Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard a first-team run

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Jesse Lingard was superb against Middlesbrough on Sunday and he underlined why he can be an important player for Manchester United during the run-in.

His potential to be a regular first team player for the first team at Old Trafford has often been dismissed by the wider footballing public, but he has a knack of putting in important performances when the team needs one and that suggests that he possesses an impressive mentality.

At the Riverside Stadium, he delivered a mature yet exciting attacking performance and there will be a section of the United support that will want him to be a more prominent figure until the end of the season.

He was utilised as a left winger on Sunday and he thrived in the role, with his link-up with Ashley Young causing numerous problems for the home defence.

Against Boro, he registered two key passes, two chances created, four take ons, four shots and four successful dribbles. It was an incredible attacking display and he was easily the most impressive of the Manchester United front-line.

The standout part of his performance was his passing in the final third. He was positive in possession and completed 16 final third passes, more than any other player produced. This highlights how he managed to influence the game and there is reason to believe that he can become a more important player at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have an excellent record of producing young players and Lingard has come through with relatively little fanfare, due to the emergence of Marcus Rashford. Although the teenage striker has huge potential, Lingard also has the ability to become an important first team player at the club.

He has an impressive record of scoring in big matches, with three goals at Wembley within the last 12 months. The match against Middlesbrough was another important one for the club as they had several important players out injured, but their 24-year-old winger stepped up again with his best performance of the season and a wonder strike from distance.

His mental strength to perform when it matters is his most impressive characteristic and that is why United must find a bigger role for him at the club.

Jose Mourinho has been adaptable this season in terms of his tactical set-up as he tries to get the best from his squad. He has yet to find his best eleven with the number ten position causing him problems. Paul Pogba wasn’t comfortable in the role; Henrikh Mkhitaryan is better on the wing and Wayne Rooney is past his best.

Lingard could suit that role as he is dynamic and showed on Sunday that he is reliable in possession, as he always picked the right pass in the final third. Some have doubted his intelligence, but he has consistently shown that he thinks clearly on the pitch. If he isn’t tried in the number ten role, then he is the main candidate to be the first choice left winger.

Although they have a number of high profile players in attack, Manchester United are lucky to have produced a talent like Jesse Lingard. He has the potential to be a useful member of their squad and has shown on occasion that he could even develop into a player good enough to start.

Given United’s struggles in the final third this season, the 24-year-old’s performance on Sunday should earn him a run in the team. It is now up to him to prove that he can be more than a squad player at Old Trafford.

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