LONDON • Jesse Lingard believes his good-natured competition with teammate Marcus Rashford, including goal and assist targets for each player, has helped bring the best out of them and drive Manchester United's bid to climb into the Premier League's top four.
Lingard and Rashford were reported to have feared their careers could stall due to Jose Mourinho's volatile temperament.
But, freed from their previous manager's shackles since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as interim boss, the England internationals have been in fine form.
With nine goals between them since the Norwegian arrived, the good friends have given United's attack a more menacing look in recent weeks.
Rashford got the first goal of the Solskjaer reign, against Cardiff, and Lingard struck twice in that 5-1 rout.
Having netted the winner in United's 1-0 victory at Leicester last weekend, Rashford has now scored in six of his side's eight league games under Solskjaer.
"Marcus and me have been setting targets for each other to challenge ourselves," Lingard said. "Obviously it's different aims, maybe in certain games it's how many shots, or this many touches in a game.
"It's just different random things, just to make you think and it's to kind of push each other because you want your friend to be successful as well. I'm not going to go into the amount of numbers involved because then everyone will know."
FRIENDLY COMPETITION
It's just different random things, just to make you think and it's to kind of push each other because you want your friend to be successful as well.
JESSE LINGARD, Manchester United forward, on him and teammate Marcus Rashford setting various targets for each other.
Solskjaer has earned praise for inspiring his side's 10-match unbeaten run since replacing the sacked Mourinho in December.
With seven victories in eight league games, fifth-placed United have surged back into the race to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top-four finish.
United sit just two points behind Chelsea and can end this weekend in fourth place if they beat struggling Fulham at Craven Cottage today and Maurizio Sarri's team lose at Manchester City tomorrow.
The Red Devils also host Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday and face Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round later this month.
If Solskjaer can lead United to silverware and finish in the top four, it might be hard for the Glazer family and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to ignore his credentials for the manager's post on a permanent basis.
Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri feels the former United striker has already proved he deserves the job.
"At the moment, he deserves it. He's shown all the players are with him. Manchester United's mentality has changed. Why not?" said Ranieri, whose side are second bottom after one win in their past five league games.
Another player who has flourished under Solskjaer's watch is Phil Jones. United rewarded the defender with a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2023.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
FULHAM V MAN UNITED
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 8.30pm
TURIN, Italy, May 3 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo headed a late equaliser to deny Torino their first win away to neighbours Juventus for 24 years as the two sides drew 1-1 in Serie A on Friday.
Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino | Reuters.com
London (AFP) - Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion that Chelsea are still in the Premier League title race as he prepares his team to face leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The 60-year-old Italian said his side were "lucky" to beat City in December when they ended the champi
Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri | Sport24
Riding Tigers Bike Rentals, a Palmetto Bikes brand offers a wide selection of beach cruiser bikes. Our inventory offers various sizes of bicycles to accommodate the entire family. However big, however small, we've got you covered for all of your bike rental needs.
Argentina have appointed 80-year-old former coach Cesar Luis Menotti as director of national teams, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Monday. Menotti, who led Argentina to their
Menotti named director of Argentina's national teams — Youths
England captain Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his Manchester United players after they gave him the perfect start to his reign with a 5-1 victory at Cardiff just days after Jose Mourinho was sacked. Former United striker Solskjaer had just two days to prepare his players for his first match as caretaker manager.
Manchester United : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praises buccaneering
Emery still has made a big mistake from the start and she should be blame for his lineup though. You cannot start Mustafi, Mavropanos, Jenkinson, Elneny, Guendouzi, at the same time, and NOT expect repercussions. I understand the need for rotation, but that was too many changes, and such a lack of quality coming in.
Emery: We started very well but the red card changed
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex. By. Jurgen Klopp revelled in the biggest night of his managerial career on Saturday after winning Liverpool's sixth European
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex
The 2016 S.League (also known as the Great Eastern Yeo's S.League for sponsorship reasons) was the 21st season of the S.League, the top-flight Singaporean professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1996.
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday in order to maintain their Premier League title bid. City shook off consecutive defeats to coast past Southampton 3-1 at St
Man City bounces back but Guardiola says it must beat
Football: Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South Korea | The Star Online ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem scored with a stunning late strike as the 2022 World Cup hosts upset Son Heung-min's South Korea 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time on Friday.
Hatim wonder strike against South Korea secures historic AFC
0 comments:
Post a Comment