Manchester United vs. Southampton: Opposition threat

Jesse Lingard

Until this season, Jesse Lingard struck me as Manchester United’s answer to Lloyd Isgrove. A couple of semi-promising loan spells and a ‘hot prospect’ tag, but failing to deliver on the big stage. However, Lingard has seemed to realise that he is a 25-year-old who has a chance to join one of England’s golden generations in the 2018 World Cup, as well as be a key part of Manchester United’s charge back to the Premier League’s summit.

With all six of his Premier League goals coming in the last month or so, Lingard is a man in form and has impressed many with his clinical edge this season, also contributing a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup against Swansea.

These goals means he has an impressive record of nine goals in nine domestic starts, and the England international has nailed down a spot in the United line-up in recent weeks, grabbing braces against Burnley and Arsenal.

Southampton will have to be wary of Lingard’s composure at finding both a wonderful finish and an incisive through ball, especially when on the counter-attack. The midfield, which will likely be a combination of the impressive Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu, Mario Lemina or Steven Davis will need to close the dangerous Lingard down, limiting his options and opportunities.