Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has waxed lyrical about attacking-midfielder Jesse Lingard following his match-winning contribution in Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium.
After stepping off the bench to replace Paul Pogba, Lingard, up against his former club, bent home a sumptuous winner to help United extend their winning run in the Premier League to three matches.
Having made a costly mistake that denied United a point in their UEFA Champions League clash with Young Boys last Tuesday, it was the perfect way for Lingard to bounce back, highlighting why manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was so keen to keep him over the summer.
Solskjaer vowed in pre-season that the England international would get opportunities to impress this season and his goals against both Newcastle United and West Ham have certainly provided proof that he is ready to fight for his place.
Having showcased his qualities in the past two league matches, Ferdinand has hailed the former Birmingham City loanee's talents, explaining why his talents are "different" to those of any other member of United's squad.
Ferdinand told FIVE : "If he wasn't going to get opportunities then I would say ‘you've got to go’.
"But it looks like Ole has said to him in the summer ‘you are going to get opportunities, I’m going to give you game time, and you’ve got to make an impact’, and he’s doing that."
"He’s different. His movement off the ball is different to any of the players we have got, in terms of making himself available, making one or two touch, always on the move, and doing work off the ball too.
"And you need that variety in the team. They can’t all be similar players, he gives you that something different."
Solskjaer has already confirmed that Lingard will start Wednesday evening's Carabao Cup third round tie against the Hammers at Old Trafford, meaning he will get another chance to impress, but this time from the start, opposed to being called upon to make an impact from the substitutes bench.
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