United history is ingrained in Lingard and Rashford

As proud Academy graduates, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford are continually inspired by the history of Manchester United - and particularly now that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is their manager.

The two homegrown players attended Sunday’s Treble Reunion match at Old Trafford to celebrate the iconic 1998/99 season and that event crucially rose over £1.5million for the club’s Foundation.

Talking to us before the charity game, which resulted in a 5-0 win over a gracious and sporting Bayern Munich side, the pair spoke eloquently about learning from the many triumphs in United's past.

“It was ingrained in us from a young age to really know the history of Man United, the trophies that have been won and especially the Treble,” Jesse told us at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“Coming through the ranks, we've always been familiar with the history of the club.”

Rashford echoed that sentiment and explained how vital it is for players to embrace the club’s culture.

“Of course, it is part of growing up at a club like United,” said Marcus. “They make sure that you understand the history of the club and you feel part of it, even though you weren't there. Moments like what happened in ‘99 last a lifetime.”

Expanding on his working relationship with Solskjaer and what he brings, Lingard continued: “Obviously with the things Ole has done for United, he knows the club inside and out. For him to pass on that information to us now is brilliant.

“Ole understands the club, he understands where the club is coming from and I think next season he can really put an identity down on the team.”

While their respect and admiration for Solskjaer is clear, amusingly neither Jesse or Marcus picked the Norwegian when asked to name a dream team-mate from the famous Treble-winning squad.

“I know that Scholesy didn't play in the Champions League final, but speaking as a forward, I would pick Scholesy all day long,” said Rashford to us. “It was just a joke how good his passes were!”

Lingard went down another route: “I'd say Becks, for the assists. You could always make the run, knowing that he will always find you and put it on a plate for you.”

Prior to Sunday’s Treble Reunion charity match, Lingard and Rashford took part in a special challenge with broadcaster BT Sport to recreate Solskaer’s winner from the 1999 Champions League final, which you can watch above.

“Yeah it was fun,” Rashford reflected to us. “It was difficult, but it was fun and we got there in the end. We had tough conditions because it was very dry.

“For me the flick-on was difficult and even the one where we did it, it was still a bit slow but we got there in the end.”