Jesse Lingard has revealed that he had a great personal relationship with former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, and the pair would even randomly engage in FaceTime calls.
Mourinho was in charge at United between 2016-2018 and won three trophies during his time in Manchester, and Lingard enjoyed his best ever season at his boyhood club while 'The Special One' was manager.
Lingard has since revived his career after falling out of favour during the post-Mourinho era at United, and the midfielder has scored two goals in three Premier League appearances so far this season.
The midfielder has set himself high targets for the season ahead, but revealed in an intimate column that Mourinho made him a winner.
Lingard's career has seen many ups and downs, as the midfielder has experienced major struggles on and off the field, but the loan move to West Ham last season reignited his flame and the England international is now branding himself 'Jesse 2.0'.
While looking back on his career so far with The Players Tribune, Lingard commented on his "good relationship" with Mourinho and how the Portuguese boss had a personal connection with his players.
Lingard revealed: "Me and Jose had a good relationship generally, though, I have to say. He was good to me. Before all the injury stuff, he trusted me, put me in for important games. We won trophies and he made me a winner. He could just bring out that side in you.
"He also liked to have a personal connection with his players. Sometimes I’d look at my phone and I’d be getting a random FaceTime from him. Just out of nowhere — just to check in.
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"I used to find it so strange at first. He’d call and be like, 'Hey Jesse, what are you doing?'
"And I’d be like, 'Erm, just chilling, watching TV … (awkward silence) … what are you doing?'
"Hahaha! I found it funny. And, to be fair, it showed how much he cared about us."
Lingard recorded his best ever Premier League return for United during Mourinho's final year at the club, as he scored eight league goals and featured in 33 league matches throughout the 2017/18 season.
The England international also scored in United's EFL Cup final victory over Southampton as Mourinho's side won 3-2 in 2017, and featured in their Europa League final victory over Ajax during the same season as the Portuguese boss clearly trusted Lingard to perform on the biggest stage.
Lingard's United career appeared all but over but a sensational loan spell to West Ham in January revived his career and now the 28-year-old has stumbled upon a second wind.
The England international is now fully ready to make his way into the United team and reach his full potential at his boyhood club.
