Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard has lifted the lid on why he turned down Liverpool in favour of an Old Trafford switch.
The highly-rated prospect, on-loan at Brighton, had the opportunity to join either one of the north-west giants as a junior, but chose to pick the Manchester side over Merseyside.
Lingard told the Brighton match programme The Seagull : “I was travelling up and down the motorway, training with both Liverpool and United, and when I got to nine I had to make a decision.
“In my last sessions at Liverpool I was not really enjoying it and I got on well with the coaches at United and had a lot of friends there, so my choice was made and it’s paid off so far.”
Lingard, who was also loaned out earlier this season to Birmingham City, also suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson played a key role in the decision.
“He sat down with me and my dad when he was manager and said that I’d probably be ready for the first team at 22.
“If I can get there before then though, that’ll be great.”
The Warrington-born youngster has stuck six goals in 13 appearances this campaign, including four goals on his Birmingham City debut against Sheffield Wednesday in September.
Manchester United host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday March 16.
Image courtesy of wespont, via flickr, with thanks
