Louis van Gaal always expected Jesse Lingard to become part of Manchester United’s first team this season after rejecting loan approaches for the winger.
Lingard scored a fine opening goal to set United on their way to a 2-0 win over West Brom at Old Trafford, following on from his assist for Wayne Rooney in the midweek Champions League win over CSKA Moscow.
Lingard has previously had spells on loan at Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby, but Van Gaal always planned to keep him at Old Trafford for this season.
“I put him in for my first game last year against Swansea because he had impressed me already, but then he had a very heavy injury and had to rehabilitate,” Van Gaal said.
“I told him I wanted to keep him and he had to wait for his moment because we have other players for that position.
“I have said no to other clubs who wanted to take him on loan and since he has come into the team he has played very well.”
Van Gaal also revealed that he had given Lingard some words of advice about his finishing ahead of the West Brom game.
“It was a fantastic goal Lingard scored,” Van Gaal said. “He had the same kind of chances a couple of days ago in training and he shot the ball first time, too straight.
“I said to him ‘you have to feel the ball first’ because with that touch you have more feeling with the ball.
“He did it and scored a fantastic goal so I am very happy for him. He played very well and deserves it and I am a happy manager.
“He has shown what an intelligent player he is, a good reader of the game and someone always looking for opportunities going forward. So today I am a very happy manager.”
One United player that is out on loan, Adnan Januzaj, could be recalled from Borussia Dortmund in January, according to the Sunday Mirror.
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