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Jesse Lingard: Rio Ferdinand slams Jose Mourinho over treatment of Man Utd star
JESSE LINGARD is a “phenomenal” player but was never played in the right position by former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
That is according to BT Sport pundit and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
Lingard has been one of a number of players who have excelled under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
Solskjaer replaced the sacked Mourinho in December and had not tasted defeat ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Ferdinand knew Lingard during his time at the club and says he is finally being played in the correct role.
He’s in with a manager now who understands him, who understands where he needs to be on the pitch to get the best out of him
“This is a kid who I’ve seen grow up through the ranks at Man United,” Ferdinand said.
“His movement is phenomenal, his touch, his awareness of players around him and he gets important goals.
“I think that his relationship with the other players in the attacking third is key to this team.
“And he’s someone who I just love watching play.
“He’s in with a manager now who understands him, who understands where he needs to be on the pitch to get the best out of him.
“I think that’s what Jose Mourinho never maybe grasped enough.
“I think you can say this about every one of the players in this squad.”
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was also full of praise for 26-year-old Lingard.
“His greatest attribute is that he finds space incredibly well,” Hargreaves said.
“He can come central, he can play wide, he has a great feel for the game.
“He’s been essential to this Man United team.”
Lingard was taken off just before half time of the visit of PSG on Tuesday due to injury.