Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard is an 'English Andres Iniesta', says Rene Meulensteen

The 22-year-old winger has recently established himself in Louis van Gaal's side

Manchetser United youngster Jesse Lingard (Getty Images)

Jesse Lingard is an English version of Andres Iniesta, according to former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen.

The 22-year-old winger has recently established himself in manager Louis van Gaal’s side, playing in each of the last eight games and scoring his first goal for the club in the 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Following his recent good form, and after injuries to Jamie Vardy and Michael Carrick, Lingard was included in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for last week’s friendly against France.

Meulensteen, who worked as part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Old Trafford set-up between 2001 and 2013, coached the winger as a youth player and is not surprised by his rise.

“I see him as the English version of Iniesta,” the former Fulham manager told United Review, the club’s official programme. “He has still got a long way to go but that is the sort of player I see in him."

Following a smash-and-grab league win against Watford at the weekend, United return to continental action by welcoming PSV Eindhoven to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Van Gaal’s side, who currently top Group B, know that a win will be enough to see them into the Champions League knockout phase.