Jesse Lingard has been speaking with the media as part of the England national team setup before their match against Andorra on Saturday and he was asked many questions about Manchester United and he gave his opinions of two of United's major signings this window.
I — most likely like many fans of the club — was surprised when Lingard did not leave Old Trafford this summer.
After a great six months on loan with West Ham United, it seemed like the best move for him to leave United to get regular game time at another club.
But he has returned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's faith in him with two goals in his limited appearances in the squad. But the form of his teammate was the topic of discussion, with one reporter asking Lingard about new signing Jadon Sancho.
He said about the player's struggle to find form: "I think it's going to take some time to adapt.
"Jadon's been around long enough, he knows football inside out and the Premier League can be tough. He's adapting. We've seen glimpses. He's only going to get better. We have full confidence and hope in Jadon to succeed."
Sancho has yet to provide a goal or an assist for United during his time at the club and his lack of form has seen many fans ask for Lingard to start over the player, but based on his comments he is fully behind the player.
Lingard has come under criticism for his actions in the past, perceived as being unserious and not fully focused on playing and being more focused on off the field antics, but not only did his stint at West Ham prove this to be untrue, I feel like no matter where Lingard is, how he acts helps other younger players feel comfortable and helps them settle into the first team.
His presence in the dressing room and around the training ground is something that often goes overlooked. Former West Ham teammate Ben Johnson had high praise for the player when speaking to the Evening Standard: ‘You can see that he has been at a top team the way that he carries himself on and off the pitch.
"On the pitch, mentally, his awareness… he knows his next pass and he calms the anxiety sometimes when the game may be scrappy."
It is clear that Lingard will be one of the first players to make sure that Sancho doesn't get too down about his performances and keeps his head up.
Lingard trying to be the example for younger players most likely stems from how his idol Cristiano Ronaldo acted with the younger players during his first stint with the club.
And of how Ronaldo has acted during his return, Lingard has high praise. He said: "He's been brilliant.
"He's brought so much to the team. The leadership factor, he wants to win in training, he wants to win in games and he wants to win trophies, which is the main thing. He's great to be around to watch what he does.
"You can learn so many things from him. He's one of the best players in the world. To have him back home is perfect for us at the moment."
It is clear the admiration that Lingard holds for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and he will be hoping to play alongside him in the coming few months, which may affect his decision to sign a new contract, as it expires at the end of this season.
Lingard will be hoping to feature in England's fixtures against Andorra and Hungary before returning to United, where he will most likely play a part in the gauntlet of games that the club has on the horizon. Lingard, Ronaldo and Lingard will all have to be on top form for United to remain in sight of the top four by the next international break.
Do you think Lingard should start against Leicester City after the international break? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter to get involved in the discussion in the comment section below.
