Jesse Lingard is not shy when it comes to goal celebrations, even if it causes outrage on social media, and his elaborate, dancing goal celebrations for Manchester United certainly make him happy.
The star made headlines recently with his moonwalk celebration at the Emirates stadium after his goal in a 3-1 FA Cup fourth round win over Arsenal.
Here is the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuAoLOa0E8
But Lingard insists his celebrations aren’t meant to offend certain opposition.
“I always like to celebrate goals, when you score you should be able to celebrate goals,” he recently told Sky Sports.
“It’s never against the opposition on purpose, but you know, I like to celebrate my goals.
“I think I’ve always wanted to learn the moonwalk just on grass, I did a little bit in the warm-up just to test it, to see if I can actually get my studs in the ground.”
“It is a new generation. You know your boundaries, with social media and stuff like that. You’ve got young fans watching,” added the 26-year old.
“For them to be looking up to me, I might just inspire those one or two people to go and play football, to see me dancing, you know. It’s good to get kids active.
“Most kids nowadays are on their iPads and iPhones. You rarely see kids in the street kicking a football anymore.
“So you’ve got to be that inspiration for youngsters to get out there and play football and enjoy sports.
“To grow up being yourself, expressing yourself – that’s the main thing.”
Lingard has played a key role in United’s revival under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Red Devils now just two points off the top four.
The Red Devils have won seven out of eight league matches since the Norwegian was appointed caretaker boss in December, with Lingard himself featuring in every game.