Lingard: This Season Was 'Sink Or Swim'

Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard feels he has taken his chance at the club during a "sink or swim" campaign for himself, and declares the players are in good spirits ahead of the remaining five games.

The youngster has been a regular under Louis van Gaal this season, making 35 appearances in all competitions and registering five goals after coming through the ranks at Old Trafford.

Speaking exclusively to MUTV earlier this week, Lingard reflected on his progress and looked ahead to Sunday's Barclays Premier League encounter against Leicester City...

You've had a year to remember - would you say this has this been your breakthrough season?
"Yeah, it was pretty much sink or swim! I had to do well and take my chance, which is what everyone else has had to do. With the debuts and playing time that the youngsters have got, I think they’ve taken their chances and haven’t let anyone down."

Will you look to build on the goals you've scored this term?
"Definitely. It’s massive; goals win games at the end of the day. For a striker who’s playing high up the field, you need to be scoring a lot of goals. I’ve loved playing in the team this season and hopefully I can continue it into next season. You saw at the weekend the link-up play we can produce and the problems we can cause other teams, so I think the understanding is massive. As long as we work together, I think the goals will come."

What's the mood like in the squad going into the Leicester match?
"We’re confident. We’re on a roll now and the lads are buzzing. The atmosphere is great around the training ground and hopefully we can take it into Sunday’s game. I think every game leading up to the end of the season is going to be massive. We pretty much need to win all of our league games now to secure the fourth spot, and after that we’ll have a week to prepare for the FA Cup final."

Are the players still targeting the top four?
"We just need to win our games now – we’re not bothered about what the other teams are doing. If we collect 12 points between now and the end of the season, I think we’ll be in a good position."

You played for Leicester on loan in 2012. Can you believe how different things are now?
"I know, it’s a massive jump! I know a lot of their players; most of them were there when I was there as well, so I’m really happy for them that they can win the Premier League title. [To go from] where they were then to where they are now is down to pure hard work and dedication. Since Claudio Ranieri has come in, he’s really got them going. At the end of the day, I think they’ve got a really good team spirit and that’s why they’re so high up the table."

Do you keep in touch with Leicester’s ex-United contingent?
"Yeah, I message Danny Drinkwater now and then to see how he’s doing and vice versa. I’m just glad for those lads that they’ve got a massive chance to win the Premier League. They’ve been through our Academy and our youth system; they’ve got Manchester United engrained in them. They’re good lads, they work hard and listen to the coaches, which are two of the main things you need to do."