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Moyes praises United young guns

Manchester United past, present and future: Ryan Giggs and Jesse Lingard © Getty Images

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Manchester United manager David Moyes hailed his promising youngsters after a 5-1 drubbing of an A-League All Star team in Sydney.

Moyes allowed youth prospect Jesse Lingard a start alongside Danny Welbeck, and the pair netted two goals apiece before Robin van Persie completed the scoring.

"Jesse played well tonight. I was actually hoping he would get a hat-trick because I think for a young boy to get that at Manchester United is a big thing," he said.

"His performance was very good and he set up Robin with a nicely weighted pass for his goal. So not only did he play well, I thought he worked really hard and showed a lot of maturity."

Though Wilfried Zaha did not score, this was his first start in a United shirt and Moyes was pleased with his contribution.

"I thought he was unlucky to not score a couple of goals, especially in the second half," Moyes said. "And I thought he showed some moments when it nearly got you out of your seat. I think that was a promising night for him as well."

Danny Welbeck struggled for goals last season, scoring just twice in all competitions, but Moyes feels there is more to come.

"I said to him: 'If you continue to work as hard as you're doing for the team, you'll get your rewards'. He was a bit unlucky, he picked up the ball in a couple of great runs, so I think he showed a little bit of versatility in everything he done."

He added: "To get Robin back on and getting started was good, but I thought it was impressive that Danny got a couple of goals and I said to him: 'On another night, you might have scored four or five goals'."

Lingard, speaking to reporters after the game, was delighted with his impact.

"It was crazy," he said. "The fans were mad today - that's the biggest crowd I've played in front of. It's what you want to do week in week out, so it's great. I'm trying to integrate myself in very slowly and I'm maturing now so it's good."

He said he was open to a loan spell this season as breaking into the first team is "probably the hardest thing".

He added: "Normally they send you out on loan and then you've got to come back, then you're out on loan again, and that might be your time. I believe in myself and I've got to believe in myself more day in, day out.

"I've known Danny [Welbeck] and Tom Cleverley from when they were little as well and they were at United when they were young with me. They pushed on and progressed and hopefully I can follow in their footsteps."

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