Injury-free Lingard is raring to go

Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard is determined to “bounce back” from a frustrating start to the season.

The 25-year-old established himself as a key player for club and country last season as Jose Mourinho’s men finished Premier League and FA Cup runners-up, before helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Lingard’s exertions came at a cost, though, as a groin injury that he had carried since Russia lied him low for a month, with the attacking midfielder only scoring his first United goal of the season when securing Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal.

“We didn’t get much rest obviously in the summer after the World Cup, so coming back there’s always going to be little niggles here and there,” the England international said.

“Obviously it got to a point where I couldn’t carry on, so that break did me well and I am raring to go now.

“It was an enjoyable summer and a good season for me on a personal level last season.

“I wanted to kickstart this season in the same form and obviously you have setbacks throughout the season, but it’s how you bounce back.”

The same goes for United as a whole, having limped through recent weeks.

Mourinho’s men sit eighth in the league and eight points off the Champions League spots after the entertaining draw with Unai Emery’s side.

Asked if there was still confidence within the dressing room of reaching the top four, Lingard said: “Yeah, I think we believe as a squad.

“It’s a long way to go in the season, so for us it’s about taking every game as it comes and trying to get the three points. That’s the main thing.”