Jesse Lingard has admitted he has “had a lot of setbacks” at Manchester United.

Lingard has established himself at Old Trafford after coming through the club’s academy, making more than 200 senior appearances. But that was not before a tough journey though youth football, a series of loan moves and a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury suffered in 2014.

“I was always small, when I was in the Under-18s I played most Under-16s games because a lot of people were bigger than me, but it didn’t faze me,” Lingard told The Official Manchester United Podcast.

“I always worked hard, I always stayed behind, always did the right thing.

“I think it’s just working hard, and sticking to the plan but, sometimes you go off course.

“I went on loan, I had to battle there and fight for my place when I came back to United.

“I got injured on my debut so I was out for six months, so I have had a lot of setbacks but if you keep fighting, work hard and keep believing, your dreams will come true.

“It’s the biggest club in the world so it’s tough to start at the bottom and work your way up.

“There’s a lot of obstacles on the way, a lot of highs and lows, but when you finally get to the end you’re playing for the first team week in, week out, you cherish every moment that you’ve been through.”