Lingard Explains United Tactics

Jesse Lingard believes Manchester United's attacking style in Friday's Emirates FA Cup win over Derby County thrilled the travelling army of supporters.

The Reds beat the Rams 3-1 to secure a fifth-round fixture against Shrewsbury Town later this month as Louis van Gaal's men aim to go all the way in a competition the club has not won since 2004.

The winger explained a little about the system used at the iPro Stadium where goals by Wayne Rooney, Daley Blind and Juan Mata took the visitors through.

Lingard told ManUtd.com: "It was really positive. We started on the front foot, we played with freedom and I think we excited the fans. We have to press teams in most games now, put them on the back foot and force mistakes, then we can get the second ball and start playing football.

"Wayne's goal settled our nerves but they equalised before the break so we had to come out in the second half with the confidence to keep playing our football. I read that it was our biggest away end of the season. Our fans are always great – win, lose or draw, they’re always there to support us and the lads really appreciate it."

While Lingard threatened on the right flank and set up Blind's goal, Anthony Martial was outstanding on the left and the Frenchman could prove to be a thorn in Stoke City's side in Tuesday's Barclays Premier League clash. Jesse told us: "Anthony was brilliant. I know the Derby right-back [Cyrus Christie] well from my time here and he said afterwards that Anthony got past him a few times, and he got an assist as well. But that’s the talent he’s got.

"The games are coming thick and fast now, so we have to prepare right mentally; we have to get our recovery levels as good as they can be. In terms of our mentality, we don’t look too far ahead or behind. We take each game as it comes and we know we’ll have to be at our best to beat Stoke."