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Lingard in better shape than team-mates - Van Gaal


Lingard in better shape than team-mates - Van Gaal

The 22-year-old netted a fine strike to mark his first-ever goal for the Red Devils, and his boss assured that after coming back from injury he is in optimal physical condition

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has praised Jesse Lingard for his contribution during the side's victory over West Bromwich Albion, after the midfielder opened the scoring at Old Trafford. 

Lingard scored with a fantastic curled effort to break down the visitors' resistance seven minutes into the second half. 

A Juan Mata penalty later assured a 2-0 victory which keeps United in the hunt for the title. 

"Already last year I had put him in the line-up for the first game against Swansea because he had impressed me,"  Van Gaal told reporters after the game. 

"He got a very heavy injury in that game and had to recover, which takes a long time.


"I told him at the beginning of the season, 'I want to keep you'. 

"He has had to wait but now he is in better shape than his companions. Now he is playing, he is playing very well." 

Despite the win, Van Gaal has admitted that he was still not happy with his side's overall performance.

"I know the feeling of the fans. We have to attack better against these defensive organisations but it's the most difficult way you can play as a team," he said. 

"It is good that we have won because the next manager will not choose so easily this strategy this time. It is good that they can do that but we can say 'Ok. but still you lose'."

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