Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are still buzzing from the local lad inspired win over Swansea City.

It’s the story every young footballer dreams about, playing for the club and town you’ve supported since you were big enough to kick a football. Some of our regulars in the Tavern love the local lads in the team and so does Jose Mourinho it seems.

Many believed when the former Chelsea boss entered the Old Trafford doors the likes of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford wouldn’t even see the bench.

Still, under the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ they have both thrived, what our landlord wants to have a look at with his bar stalwarts is why Mourinho prefers Jesse Lingard to the talented Frenchman Anthony Martial.

Lingard causes a bit of controversy amongst the Red Devils’ fan base, he’s a marmite player and many of our punters often ask the question why he plays, here’s three reasons why he’s such a Mourinho favourite…

Tracking back

Mourinho likes a winger that not only can get forward but equally get back and defend. Once Mourinho’s team have a goal, it’s widely accepted that he likes to defend that lead.

With Lingard, he has that player that will track back and defend if he has to unlike Martial and, while this season he has improved in getting back, it’s not natural for him too.

Lingard may not be the best player in the world, though gets up and down the flanks and performs his duties diligently.

Utility player

Although he’s preferred on the wing, Lingard will cover great areas across the final third to create and open spaces up for his teammates. In contrast, Martial will stick to the left wing only and not real stray anywhere else, something that surely doesn’t put him in good favour with Mourinho.

Lingard’s unselfish pitch behaviour is why is has Mourinho’s full trust, despite some groans some the Theatre of Dreams faithful.

Passing

Once the lead has been established, Mourinho wants to defend it to the hilt.

Lingard is a player Mourinho trusts to make the simple keeping possession passes he wants in certain situations, not losing the ball unessecarily and inviting pressure onto United’s defence.

He went very unnoticed last season created more chances than Martial in the final third with his smart passing game, dropping into conservative positions when the game opens up.