Jesse Lingard believes that Manchester United are getting closer to winning the Premier League after a year of progress under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United are currently sat third in the table with one match to play and have been much improved since the turn of the year.

With just two league defeats since New Year's Day, Solskjaer's team have impressed following the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January and went 17 games unbeaten before losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend.

The Red Devils can secure Champions League football next season if they draw with Leicester City on Sunday.

Asked how close the club are to competing for the Premier League, the 27-year-old believes his side are not too far away.

"I don't think we are too far away," Lingard said at a media event attended by Tribalfootball.com.

"We have been working hard and we are growing each season as a team.

"We are getting used to the way each other play and how we want to play but it is about growing and maturing as a team in a way that means you are going in the right direction. We are heading in the right direction and a trophy would be perfect you end the season and it is one of our main goals."

Lingard has played less regularly in recent weeks, with Fernandes, Fred, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic preferred, but the England international said he is still enjoying his time at Old Trafford.

"I have been at United for so long and I have loved every minute," he added.

"It is my job and I love it and I love the club as well."

Asked where he felt this was United's best team since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013, Lingard said: "It is up there and there have been a lot of transition periods over the years, but we are moving in the right direction, the team is doing well and we are full of confidence so I think the only way is up at the moment."