Jesse Lingard is the 'English Iniesta', says former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen

High praise: Lingard has been compared to Barcelona legend Iniesta
Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Image
Sam Long24 November 2015

Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard has been described as the 'English version of Iniesta' by former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen.

The 22-year-old has broken into United's first-team fold this season and scored his first goal for the club against West Brom earlier in the month.

The forward also received his first senior England call up last week after successfully catching the eye of Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson.

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.

Meulensteen, who coached Lingard during his spell as a coach at Old Trafford, believes there are similarities between the Englishman and his Spanish counterpart

"I see him as the English version of Iniesta.

"He has still got a long way to go but that is the sort of player I see in him," the Dutchman told United Review.

Iniesta is one of the world's most decorated players and has won four Champions League titles during his distinguished career at the Camp Nou.

Manchester United Champions League Training

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Lingard is in line to make his third appearance in Europe's primary club competition when Louis van Gaal's side host PSV Eindhoven tomorrow night.

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