Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard says he'll always be grateful to former youth coach Warren Joyce.

United meet Joyce's Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

Lingard told MUTV: "It was always going to take a bit of time for Joycey but Wigan have had good results in their last few games. It will be another tough game for us. Anything can happen in the cups so we've got to play our game on the day.

"Joycey was great for me. He gave me my chance in the Reserves and I respect him as a manager and I still keep in touch with him now.

"I think he will succeed at Wigan. I've worked under him and I've seen the coaching he did and the reserve-league titles he won here. He always communicated well with the lads. As soon as I went out on loan he was calling me and coming to watch me at games. I think communication is vital for a player when you go away from a club – he always looked after the young lads."

Although Lingard thinks Joyce's inside knowledge could be useful to the Latics, the 24-year-old is confident a positive display from the Reds will see the holders progress to the fifth round.

"Yeah of course he knows all about us," Lingard smiled. "He knows the players here and the way we play and as I said before it's a cup game and anything can happen. But as long as we perform on the day then we have a great chance."