Jesse Lingard Targets Following Ryan Giggs at Manchester United

Manchester United's on-loan winger Jesse Lingard is hoping performances on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion can catch the eye of manager David Moyes ahead of an attempt to break into the Old Trafford first team next season.

Lingard has enjoyed fruitful spells at Birmingham City where he netted six times in 13 games and now with Brighton where goals have come in each of his last two appearances against Leicester City and Charlton Athletic.

The 21 year old has watched on while Adnan Januzaj has made an immediate impact in the United first team after graduating from the club's academy and Lingard is hoping to make his own step up and emulate the success of record-appearance maker Ryan Giggs.

"Growing up at United, Ryan Giggs is my hero," the England Under-21 international said.

"He is one of those flair players that excites fans. I like players who run at people and dribbling is one of my main attributes. People love to see it, you have to get the supporters out of their seats.

"I'll go back to Old Trafford with sky-high confidence. Players out on loan have got to keep playing our own game and see where it takes us.

"The games left here are going to be tough but, if we take the mentality we had this week against Leicester and Charlton into these games, we are going to push on."

Lingard is one of 14 United players current out on loan and given the club's struggles domestically, many will be looking to win a regular place next season.

Nick Powell at Wigan Athletic, Wilfried Zaha at Cardiff City and Bebe at Pacos de Ferreira have all impressed this season and are expected to be in contention come the new campaign, despite the promise of a deluge of spending this summer.

Upon his appointment Moyes stated his intention to use United's academy to supplement his squad and the trust placed in Januzaj – who has played 24 times in the Premier League in his breakthrough term – suggests he is ready to commit to that promise.