Lingard call-up great – but it’s very fast, admits Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal insists he welcomed Jesse Lingard’s call-up to the England squad this week, despite his admission that his progress to international football has been “very fast”.

Lingard’s call-up to the England squad this week for the friendly against France was widely criticised, with the player earning a spot in the squad despite starting just one Premier League match for Manchester United.

Roy Hogson insisted Van Gaal was fully supportive of the decision to call up the midfielder, despite his earlier insistence that Lingard was “not ready” for international football.

However, the Manchester United manager, speaking during Friday morning’s press briefing ahead of Saturday’s trip to Watford, clarified his opinion over Lingard’s call-up.

“I am pleased but it is very fast,” Van Gaal said. “It is the circumstances also, but still I have congratulated him with his promotion so it is always fine to see how players are developing and because of that he is rewarded.

“When a player shows what he can do on a high level then he can do it also on the national team and now he has an experience to be in the selection of the national squad of England which is a different environment.”