HE couldn't have left it any later, could he?

Warrington's Jesse Lingard scored his first Premier League goal of the season for Manchester United in the eighth minute of added time in the final game of the elongated campaign.

The goal sealed for United a 2-0 victory and third place on the ladder, booking the Red Devils a spot in the Champions League next season.

 

 

Lingard, 27, a former Penketh United junior and Beamont Collegiate Academy student, went 34 Premier League games without netting.

The last two he scored in the top flight was against Cardiff City on December 22, 2018, when he bagged a brace in a 5-1 success in the Welsh capital.

He ended his drought with a gift from Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The net minder, a yard inside his own box, thought it would be a good idea to try and dribble past the advancing Lingard, who ended up picking his pocket and slotting the ball into an empty net.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

It's been a tough period for the England midfielder, with speculation rife for most of the year that he was to be leaving Old Trafford.

Lingard's two other goals this season came outside the Premier League.

His last effort came in a 6-1 FA Cup success at Tranmere Rovers on January 26, while he also hit the mark in a 2-1 loss at Astana in the Europa League on November 28.

Perhaps his next target should be to score in successive games, with United next set to play against Lask in the Europa League Round of 16 second leg on Wednesday, August 5.