Lingard's Next Steps After New Deal

Jesse Lingard has signed a new deal with Manchester United and departed on loan to Derby County amid glowing praise from manager Louis van Gaal.

The boss has been impressed by the 22-year-old's determination to come back from the knee injury that cruelly cut short his competitive Reds debut against Swansea City in August.

The youth product made a couple of Under-21 appearances with Warren Joyce's side before agreeing to the switch to the promotion-chasing Rams in the Championship. After finalising a new two-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford, with an option for another year, Lingard is clearly in van Gaal's thoughts.

"Jesse was desperately unfortunate to sustain a knee-ligament injury on his debut for the club on the opening day of the season," stated the manager in United Review.

"I have been impressed by Jesse's determination during his rehabilitation and it was pleasing to see him perform to such a high standard in his second match since last August [in the Under-21s' win over Liverpool]."

Lingard spoke to Derby's official TV channel to reveal the details of his transfer on the final day of the January window. After initially being selected for United's Under-21s' clash with Fulham, he instead switched to Steve McClaren's side.

"I got called back before the game to sort the deals out with United and Derby so it was a long night," he said. "I am happy to get both deals done.

"[Are you happy to pledge your future to United?] Yeah, definitely. Then obviously Derby wanted to take me on loan so I sat down with my family and considered coming. I feel I made the right choice."

Lingard has previously had spells with Leicester City, Birmingham City and Brighton. The England Under-21 international is expected to make his Rams debut against Bolton Wanderers, who currently have his Reds team-mates Ben Amos and Saidy Janko on loan, this weekend.