Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard joins Championship side Brighton on loan

Jesse Lingard (L)

Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has joined Championship side Brighton on loan for the rest of the season, reports Sky Sports.

The 21-year-old recently impressed during a loan spell at Birmingham City earlier in the season, scoring four goals on his debut, before returning to Old Trafford.

He is one of several youngsters, along with Nick Powell, who are on the fringes of an inclusion in United manager David Moyes’ first team squad.

However, Moyes has given the front man permission to leave on a temporary basis once again in order to get regular first team football for the remainder of the campaign.

The England under-21 international was in demand with Birmingham keen to re-sign the youngster, only for Seagulls’ boss Oscar Garcia to swoop and secure a deal for his services.

Lingard is highly-rated in Manchester and impressed reserve team boss Warren Joyce with the winning goal in an Under-21s clash with Sunderland earlier in the week.

“Jesse has been different class. His attitude has been great, to come back from starring out on loan to playing Under-21 games that he was doing three years ago and also starring in.

“He still does the right things all the time. His work-rate was phenomenal and his decision-making was good plus it was a great goal for the boy again,” declared Joyce.

The forward will go straight into Brighton’s squad for the clash with Millwall this weekend and is also eligible for the play-offs, should the Sussex outfit force their way into the top six.

Jesse Lingard scored six goals in 13 appearances for Birmingham City earlier in the season.