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Rene Meulensteen claims Jesse Lingard is “the English version of Iniesta”

The 22-year-old has recently broken into Louis van Gaal’s first-team thinking, with a bright future anticipated for the winger.

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Although the Manchester-born youngster is still very much in the developmental stages of his career he has received high praise from the ex-Fulham boss.

Jesse Lingard got his chance in the starting XI when new signing Memphis Depay struggled to make any sort of impact in the opening few months at Manchester United and was eventually dropped by his fellow countrymen Louis van Gaal.

His recent call-up to the England first team has only exacerbated the inevitable hype which will surround a home-grown talent.

It is a lofty notion, given that Lingard is taking his first big strides in professional football while Iniesta has won just about every honour in the game, at club and worldwide level.

Lingard has spent time out on loan at Leicester City, Birmingham City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Derby County over the years, but appears more than ready for regular Premier League action.

‘I see him as the English version of Iniesta, ‘ Meulensteen told United review.

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With Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial poised to return to the fold for the Champions League clash against PSV, it remains to be seen if Lingard will be handed another start.

Jesse Lingard has been compared to Barcelona superstar Andres Iniesta