LIngard On Wembley Record

Jesse Lingard cannot put his finger on any reasons behind his fantastic scoring record at Wembley but was pleased to make a telling contribution as Manchester United won the EFL Cup.

The England international was recalled to the starting line-up by Jose Mourinho and operated in the no.10 role to great effect, capping an impressive display with the second goal in the Reds’ thrilling 3-2 win over Southampton in Sunday’s final.

The national stadium is quickly becoming Lingard’s second home after his memorable winner in the Emirates FA Cup final against Crystal Palace last May and well-taken goal in the Community Shield versus Leicester City at the start of this season.

When asked for his thoughts on why Wembley is a ground he loves to score at, Lingard told MUTV: “I’m not too sure really. I think, since I scored the first time and obviously lifted the trophy, it was a mad feeling and you want to carry it on the rest of the times you play at Wembley.”

At the age of 24, Lingard still has plenty of years left in his burgeoning career but has already racked up a number of impressive achievements so far in his playing days, even before breaking into the United first-team in the 2014/15 season.

The no.14 admitted it will take something special to eclipse his stunning extra-time strike against Crystal Palace which secured the FA Cup for the Reds last season.

However, when asked where his goal against the Saints ranks among his other achievements, he said: “It’s up there. It’s helped the team win another trophy and that’s why you’re on the pitch, you’ve always got to help your team.”

After Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s sublime free-kick broke the deadlock, Lingard collected Marcos Rojo’s pass to calmly slot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box but, with the game seemingly heading for extra-time after Manolo Gabbiadini’s double for Southampton, Ibrahimovic headed home a dramatic late winner to seal United’s fifth League Cup triumph.

The success is the Reds’ third trophy in the space of nine months, as well as a first major piece of silverware under Jose Mourinho since the manager’s arrival last summer.

And Lingard believes the club have rediscovered the winning habit which is needed to be successful.

On another trophy for the Reds: “Manchester United have got a history of winning trophies – we won two last year and obviously one at the start of the season, so we’ve got a knack for winning and, you know, as soon as you get that winning feeling, you always want more.”