Jose Mourinho pays tribute to Jesse Lingard

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has said that Jesse Lingard "is going in a good direction" after watching the England international net his seventh Premier League goal of the season.

Lingard added to a strike from Anthony Martial as United won 2-0 at Everton in the Premier League on New Year's Day.

Mourinho has paid tribute to the 25-year-old for developing from "a young talent" to become "a very good player".

"Jesse Lingard - one thing is to be a young talent, another thing is to be a very good player. Some players are not capable of that jump. They go from great potential to normal players," Mourinho told Sky Sports News.

"Lingard is giving that jump. He is more consistent, he is adaptable, he understands better the game, he is going in a good direction."

Lingard has registered a goal or an assist in four of his last five Premier League appearances.