Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has revealed he enjoyed a good relationship with former boss Jose Mourinho. The ‘special one’ managed United between 2016-18 and despite leaving Old Trafford under a cloud, won the club’s last pieces of silverware; an EFL Cup and Europa League double in 2017. Lingard featured in many important games under Mourinho and claims the former United boss ‘cared’ about his players.
Jesse Lingard said: “Me and Jose had a good relationship generally, though, I have to say. He was good to me. Before all the injury stuff, he trusted me, put me in for important games. We won trophies and he made me a winner. He could just bring out that side in you. He also liked to have a personal connection with his players. Sometimes I’d look at my phone and I’d be getting a random FaceTime from him. Just out of nowhere — just to check in. I used to find it so strange at first. He’d call and be like, ‘Hey Jesse, what are you doing?’ And I’d be like, ‘Erm, just chilling, watching TV … (awkward silence) … what are you doing?’ Hahaha! I found it funny. And, to be fair, it showed how much he cared about us.”
Lingard also revealed his disappointment about missing out on being part of the England squad for the Euros. The 28-year-old enjoyed the form of his life at West Ham after joining the club on loan last January, scoring an impressive nine goals in 16 appearances. However, despite being part of Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad he didn’t make the final selection.
Jesse Lingard added: “Back in June, I really thought I had done enough to get into the final 26 for the Euros. Obviously, I respected Gareth’s decision, but when I rang to tell my brother, I cried.”
