LONGFORD’S Jesse Lingard was Manchester United’s hero on Saturday as he scored the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

The 23-year-old former William Beamont High School student came off the bench to replace Juan Mata and volleyed a superb goal in the second half of extra time to secure a 2-1 victory for United.

The midfielder’s goal, his sixth of the season, ensured the FA Cup returned to Old Trafford after a 12-year absence and it is United’s first trophy since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

The lifelong Reds fan, who was spotted by United scouts at an early age playing for Penketh United, said it was a “great feeling” to score the winner.

“It fell nicely for me to hit, I knew I had to catch it right and luckily I did,” he told Manchester United’s official website.

“It was a massive feeling. To win it is great and ending the season on a high with my family and friends watching in the crowd.”

Lingard’s side had to come from behind after Jason Puncheon had given Palace the lead late on, but Mata equalised to send the game to extra time before Lingard’s intervention, which came after United defender Chris Smalling had been sent off.

He has previously spent spells out on loan at the likes of Brighton, Birmingham and Derby before establishing himself in the United first team this season.

He has formed a potent attacking partnership with fellow academy graduate Marcus Rashford and Frenchman Anthony Martial and he says that link-up helped guide them to victory.

“It’s the United way – we showed great team spirit,” he said.

“We had the older lads in midfield and youth up front to guide us through.”