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Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingaard has been drawing praises from all corners for his good performances and has even been compared to Spanish great Andres Iniesta.
Yes! The 22-year-old who has just started out his career has been compared to the FC Barcelona playmaker by none other than former Manchester Assistant coach Rene Meulensteen.
The Dutchman was a youth and reserves coach at Manchester United under the stewardship of Sir Alex Fergusson. However, in spite of all the talents that have passed through his hands, it seems that Muelensteen seems to have been really impressed by Lingard — so much so that he compared the Englishman to Iniesta.
“I see him as the English version of Iniesta,” Meulensteen was quoted saying to United Review. “He has still got a long way to go but that is the sort of player I see in him.”
Meulensteen had worked with the Manchester United youth setup for a long time, before joining Brondby as their manager in the Danish Superliga. He also went on to be the assistant manager at Manchester United after a one-year stint at Brondby before joining hands with Anzhi Makhachkala. Meulensteen also had a short stint managing a Premier League club, as he took the hot seat at Fulham. However he lasted only a few months before being sacked.
Lot to prove for Lingard for Iniesta comparison
While being compared to Andres Iniesta is something that any young player would appreciate, Lingard still has a lot to prove before he truly reaches that level.
Iniesta has won almost everything there is to win — a World Cup, 2 Euros, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 7 La Ligas, playing in what has arguably been called the greatest football team of all times. There is a long way yet for Lingard to go if he is to reach Iniesta’s level.