Manchester United Andy Cole has spoken about how Sir Alex Ferguson talked up Jesse Lingard.
While Lingard did not break into the first team until after Ferguson retired, the legendary manager was always aware of the player as he came through the youth system at United.
And Cole has suggested that Ferguson compared Lingard to legendary French midfielder Jean Tigana.
"He would say that [Jesse] is going to be like (former French international attacking midfielder) Jean Tigana," he told ESPN.
"Jesse was a late developer who had many loans, but has said himself that he plays better for England than for Manchester United.
"Maybe he was getting more freedom for England, but now under Ole Gunnar he's getting more of that.
"You have to play with freedom. Manchester United have always played with freedom and creativity."