Manchester United

Luke Shaw: 'Jesse Lingard has been standout player of pre-season tour'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 25 July 2017

Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw selects Jesse Lingard as the "standout player" from the club's pre-season tour of the United States.

Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw has chosen Jesse Lingard as the standout player from the club's pre-season tour of the United States so far.

Jose Mourinho's side have won all four of their fixtures to date, beating Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Manchester City and Real Madrid - the letter of which on penalties - with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lingard all getting on the scoresheet.

Shaw hailed Lingard as the most impressive of the lot, though, and believes that it has been useful for himself, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo to join the rest of the squad on the trip despite being some way from full fitness.

"You look at the pace and skill we have up top and the finishing ability and it's frightening. The attacking players have shown a lot of quality on tour, especially when you look at Rom's goal against City. It wasn't an easy finish and Marcus has been in great form too and has scored a few goals. Micki's also scored and played how he always plays and [Anthony] Martial – wow, the skill for the goal [against Real Madrid] was fantastic," Lingard told MUTV.

"You can't forget Jesse as well; for me, Jesse is my standout player so far on this tour. He's everywhere and always willing to set up the play and chip in with a goal or an assist. Hopefully all the boys can carry on doing their thing. It's been great to all be together and that's why it was a positive thing that me, Ash and Marcos came on the trip.

"We've been together as a group for a while now but obviously each summer there are new lads that come in each season and it's good to bond with them and get to know them. It's good for the squad to build momentum and be around each other and get to know each other more and it builds more strength on the pitch.

"Romelu and Victor [Lindelof] have settled in very well. It's good for Rom as he knew a few of the players before he came so it was pretty easy for him to settle and Victor was new to the group but he has settled really well and he's enjoying it. The main thing now is to build up fitness and make sure everyone is in peak condition for the start of the season."

Shaw will miss the start of the new Premier League season through injury, although he is expected to return in September.