Jesse Lingard enjoyed the best period of his career under ‘the Special One’. Mourinho’s unique man-management allowed the attacking-midfielder to flourish between 2016 and 2018, when he scored 20 goals and notched 11 assists for the Red Devils. The Portuguese legend has been known for splitting opinion over the years, with some players falling out with the manager while others were willing to give Mourinho their all due to their special relationship with him.
Lingard, now 31 and a free agent, counted himself as part of the latter camp. He didn’t want to know about it. And I’m like, ‘It’s not my fault, is it, Boss?
!’ *Do you think Man Utd should have given Jose Mourinho more time? He was good to me. Before all the injury stuff, he trusted me, put me in for important games.
We won trophies and he made me a winner. He could just bring out that side in you. “He also liked to have a personal connection with his players.
Sometimes I’d look at my phone and I’d be getting a random FaceTime from him. Just out of nowhere — just to check in. “I used to find it so strange at first.
Now the teen sensation is taking his talents around the UK and Europe as he faces the big boys in the Premier League. Venues will be packed out to see the new darting icon take on the biggest names in the sport – Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwin, Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall over the next few months. Our special Premier League preview charts Littler’s astronomic rise, turns the spotlight on his rivals for the coveted title, includes an exclusive column from James Wade, interviews with legends of the game, current Premier League players and PDC chairman Eddie Hearn – and it tells you everything you need to know about the tournament.
“I found it funny. And, to be fair, it showed how much he cared about us. But in terms of injuries, yeah, it was tough, because he didn’t want to hear it.” Lingard won the Europa League and League Cup in Mourinho’s second season.
Meanwhile, Lingard’s career has since faltered without the guidance of Mourinho.
