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Jesse Lingard reveals Manchester United's most influential player
JESSE LINGARD has heaped praise on Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney.
Jesse Lingard says Wayne Rooney is a great captain on and off the field
The England U21 international featured in his first game of the season for United this weekend, replacing Juan Mata in the 3-0 win over Everton.
And, although he's found it difficult to break into the first-team, he admits club captain Rooney is a huge inspiration to him.
"You can tell he is a world class player," he said.
"You can see that in training every day. He has got goals and he is captain, he leads the team, he sets a great example and we follow him.
However, the 22-year-old admits it's not just Rooney's footballing prowess that make him great, but also his off-the-field manner.
He added: "You see him as a friend now, but obviously on the pitch you look up to him.
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"He is a great captain. I have been around him most years anyway, coming through the ranks.
"I joined at seven, so when we were Under-18s we started mixing with the first team. You see him about, and still then he helped you along the way, as he does now.
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"He is a bubbly character - He might not seem it, but he is.
"He goes to each group - foreigners, youngsters, he will have chats with everybody and try and help us along the way."
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