Jesse Lingard credits Manchester United's resurgence to freedom of play

Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard says his team is playing better and putting more points on the board after manager Louis van Gaal implemented a change in playing philosophy in the new year.

Lingard, who scored in United's 3-0 thrashing of Stoke City on Tuesday, credits one change in particular with his side's resurgence, as the Red Devils, with six goals in the last two games, look to have found their collective feet once more at Old Trafford.

"Now we are playing with that freedom and we've got a lot of energy in the team," Lingard told reporters. "To be mixing up the positions and entertain the crowd, we'll have to do that, but it's that freedom that we have, it's a weight off our shoulders and we can just play football now."

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Manchester United was heavily criticised earlier in the year due to the tepid nature of its football, with Van Gaal bearing the brunt of the fans' furor. For their efforts, Lingard and his teammates have earned 40 points in 24 matches, winning 11 games, drawing seven, and dropping six.

But Lingard believes Van Gaal's style of play can't be entirely blamed for United's season-long woes.

"With the results, it's not the manager's fault," he said. "We are the ones who have been on the pitch playing. On Tuesday, you've seen that we can get results we need if we put our mind to it.

"We can't let the fans influence how we play. We are on the pitch. We have to play the game as we see it at the time."