LINGARD: WE’LL BE FIGHTING FOR TITLE NEXT SEASON
JESSE LINGARD says Manchester United will challenge for the Premier League title next season, placing his support behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘back to basics’ approach. United are unbeaten since Solskjaer was appointed caretaker manager, replacing Jose Mourinho in December, reining in league leaders Liverpool by five points. And although United admire Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, Lingard has touted Solskjaer to bring back the glory days to Old Trafford if the Norwegian stays on. Solskjaer is due to return to Molde in May, but has talked himself up as a ‘perfect fit’ at United and Lingard, 26, leads a group of players impressed by his work. ‘Solskjaer and (assistant) Mike Phelan have brought back the old school Manchester United,’ he told ‘They know the league and the club inside out, so to pass that on and get us playing how we are has been perfect. ‘Solskjaer is doing very well, nobody can fault him. He got the players backing him straight away. He told us there are big expectations and pressure at this club but we have to deal with it and play like a real United team. ‘We will challenge for the title next season if we carry on how we are now. We’re back to basics and winning games by grinding out results or scoring a lot of goals. ‘As long as we’re winning games, that’s all that matters.’ One player Solskjaer would hope to continue to call on is Ander Herrera, who can reveal is close to signing a new contract after Ashley Young agreed a one-year extension. United have been in talks with both players’ representatives since last year, knowing Herrera and Young would be free agents at the end of this season. Herrera, a £29million signing from Athletic Bilbao in 2014, is very keen to stay at the club having re-established himself as a first-choice starter. Asked about a new contract following Sunday’s win at Leicester, Herrera, 29, said: ‘If I deserve it, I’ll get it. I got the player of the year two years ago and, I can’t lie, I feel very good at the moment.’ Young has extended his United career into a ninth season despite interest from Premier League and foreign clubs, including Inter Milan, who hoped to sign him on a free transfer this summer. The 33-year-old wanted a longer deal but a 12-month extension was agreed and will be announced shortly. However, Juan Mata’s future is still unsettled, with his United contract into its final five months. Yesterday Solskjaer was joined by fellow club legend Bryan Robson for a wreath-laying ceremony at Old Trafford to mark the 51st anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
Jesse Lingard was speaking at the launch of the Coca-Cola and Premier League campaign ‘Where Everyone Plays’.