Ken Lingard is a bit of a legend, a former GB powerlifter from Warrington who, at 77, was still taking part in local competitions last year.

He spotted his grandson’s talent early. From when Jesse was five, Ken had him out in all weather at Whitecross Community Centre. “Skills! Skills! Skills!” Ken would yell. “Stepover!” “Fool the defender.” “Drop your shoulder.”

Jesse grins. “Fun times,” he remembers, “Grandad . . . was a shouter. I used to get embarrassed. My dad was the opposite, he’d just tell me after games, but grandad got kicked out a few times of the training ground for shouting a lot. He wanted me to do well and if I didn’t I’d get a grilling.”

New goals: Jesse Lingard appreciates the impact of manager Jose Mourinho BEN HOSKINS

Yet, “it kept me on