MANCHESTER UNITED star Paul Pogba has leapt to the defence of team-mate Jesse Lingard, saying he’s a true big-game player – but the stats don’t necessarily back that claim up.
The former England midfielder, 27, has come in for criticism in recent seasons since he shone at the 2018 World Cup, failing to score or assist in the Premier League this season.
But pal Pogba has insisted he has full faith in Lingard and reminds fans he always comes good in cup finals.
On Lingard, the Frenchman – who look set to quit the club this summer – said: “He knows. He knows. He’s made for this. He’s always banging in goals.
“He’s always been banging in goals anyway. It was a very good game for all of us.
“Everyone played well and we had a very strong performance.”
FACT OR FAITH?
Lingard scored in the 2016 FA Cup final – an extra-time winner against Crystal Palace – as well as the 2017 League Cup showdown against Southampton.
The ex-Three Lions ace also scored in the 2016 Community Shield – a 2-1 win over Leicester
But he missed a gilt-edged chance to score Man Utd‘s third in the 2017 Europa League final win, after he dawdled on the ball when one-on-one with the keeper.
Now-Tottenham star Davinson Sanchez was able to steal the ball away at the last minute.
Looking back at that night, Lingard revealed: “I think it was Sanchez chasing me down and I was one-on-one with the keeper and he’s made a last ditch challenge as I was about to shoot.
“It was one of those things. I would have loved to have scored.”
On top of that, Lingard not only failed to score, but was booked and hauled off the pitch in the Super Cup loss to Real Madrid later that year.
Lingard now looks set to be sold by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer after failing to nail down a spot in the squad.
