Marouane Fellaini: 'Jesse Lingard a very clever player'

Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini has said that Manchester United teammate Jesse Lingard is a "very clever" player.

The English international netted the pick of the Three Lions' six goals against Panama, as his strike from outside the box curled into the top corner.

The United duo are expected to meet in Kaliningrad for Thursday evening's Group G decider, with both England and Belgium locked in the qualifying spots.

"He's a very clever player on the pitch — and we saw that against Panama," Fellaini told The Mirror. "He's done well for the past few years, that's why he plays for Manchester United, and he has to continue like that.

"His technical ability is good and on the pitch his positioning is clever, so we'll have to be careful of him. He's a great person, a great character, and he loves to laugh and joke, which I think is also important in the group."

Lingard's appearance against Panama was his 14th for the senior England team.