Monday 14 January 2019 16:23, UK
Jesse Lingard believes it is vital Manchester United hang on to goalkeeper David de Gea.
De Gea put in a man-of-the-match performance in United's 1-0 Wembley win over Tottenham on Sunday, producing a string of saves to ensure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it six straight wins as caretaker manager.
The Spain international's contract was due to end this summer, which would have allowed him to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from January 1.
But United triggered an extension clause to keep De Gea at Old Trafford for at least another season and Sky sources understand they remain in dialogue with their goalkeeper over a new long-term deal.
Team-mate Lingard believes it is imperative Manchester United succeed in tying De Gea down to a new contract.
"He's one of the best keepers in the world, if not the best," Lingard said.
"We want him to stay. Having a keeper like that gives you extra confidence. He's a great goalkeeper."
The win over Spurs saw United go level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal and now a top-four finish does not look out of the equation as they are just six points behind Chelsea.
Lingard said it was important to keep the momentum going as United's players continue to love life under the Norwegian.
"It keeps the confidence going and we focus on the next game," he added.
"It was always going to be a test. We knew that from the beginning. We put them on the back foot from the off and hopefully in the future we can start the second half like that as well.
"For us now we've got to keep looking forward. We've got another game against Brighton on Saturday and we need three points. We'll see where we are at the end of the season.
"We're very organised. We want to attack, we want to make those runs forward. The midfielders are running forward and we're putting other teams under pressure. It's working and we need to carry it on."
