Rene Meulensteen claims Jesse Lingard is “the English version of Iniesta”

Former Manchester United trainer Rene Meulensteen rates the English youngster highly.

Lingard, 22, has made the step up to Louis van Gaal’s starting XI in recent weeks, setting up Wayne Rooney’s Champions League victor against CSKA Moscow on November 3 before scoring his debut goal for the club against West Brom four days later.

Jesse Lingard is enjoying life at Old Trafford, he has made his breakthrough to the first team after spending time on loan at Leicester City, Birmingham City, Brighton and most recently Derby County.

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has compared up-and-coming starlet Jesse Lingard to Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, as reported by United Review.

The forward also received his first senior England call up last week after successfully catching the eye of Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson.

While Meulensteen acknowledges that the 22-year-old still has “a long way to go” to reach Iniesta’s level (talk about an understatement), he believes there are similarities in their playing styles.

Lingard is in line to make his third appearance in Europe’s primary club competition when Louis van Gaal’s side host PSV Eindhoven tomorrow night.

How good will Lingard be when he matures?