Lingard: We all want to be like role-model Rooney

Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard has hailed captain Wayne Rooney as a role model for the young players at the club.

Rooney, 31, became United’s all-time top goalscorer with an injury-time free-kick in the 1-1 Premier League draw away to Stoke City last Saturday.

The achievement was the latest in a hugely successful United career for the former Everton forward, who will take to the Old Trafford pitch for the first time since breaking that Bobby Charlton record when Wigan Athletic visit in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Lingard, speaking to the club’s official website ahead of the match, said of Rooney: “The achievement is unbelievable. The lads in the changing room look up to Wayne and he’s a great role model for the younger kids coming through. He sets a great example and we always look to follow him. 

“His leadership [stands out]. He’s great with the young lads, especially when you’re coming through. He’s really helped me, Marcus [Rashford] and Tim [Fosu-Mensah] – we all look up to him and aspire to be like him.

“I’ve seen that at England level, too. The first couple of times I joined up, he was always there and included me with the other lads.”