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Life's a riot for Jesse Lingard.

The Manchester United attacker plays his football with a smile – and who can blame him after scoring Wembley wonder-goals that have helped the Reds win the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield over the last two seasons.

When United’s team coach came under attack from hooligan West Ham fans last year, Lingard’s first instinct was to post a video of the bombardment on Snapchat.

This season his Snapchat friends got to see him perform a dance routine with £89million team-mate Paul Pogba.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand felt it was a sign that the 24-year-old doesn’t quite care enough.

(Image: Mike Hewitt)

(Image: Michael Regan - The FA)

But talking to Lingard at England’s hotel in Hertfordshire this week, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Lingard said: “Fun plays a massive part in anyone’s life. At least it should do.

“Not everyone is going to like everything you do, but I’m the type of guy that’s always having a joke and messing around – apart from when it comes to the serious stuff.

“I know when my head has to be on the game. You train hard all week, but in your downtime you should be able to relax with your friends and have some fun.

“People pick up on it and are quick to judge, but I’ve always felt that you can’t really judge anyone unless you speak to them face to face or meet them in real life.

“I spoke to Rio about what he said. We had a discussion about it and we’re fine. I’m just a happy-go-lucky person who does things that make me happy.”

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Lingard’s attitude belies a naturally nervous disposition. Some of his early United performances were paralysed by tension.

But his sensational strike against Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup was a turning point and he has followed that up with goals against Leicester in the Community Shield and Southampton in the EFL Final.

“It was that Leicester game,” said Lingard. “That was the game when it all started to feel normal.

“Last year was a great experience, you know, under Louis Van Gaal. He gave me the confidence to go and play.

“Going away with England always gives you a boost as well, representing your country and being with the country’s elite players.”

(Image: Stu Forster)

So what possessed Lingard to pick up his phone to film West Ham’s misbehaving fans at Upton Park last season when the rest of his team-mates dived for cover?

He said: “I could see it all happening and the first thing I did was pull my phone out and start recording.

“It’s just another memory slid in the bank I guess. It was on my private Snapchat, to be fair, and it shouldn’t really have got out.

“One of my friends must have snaked me out and took the video without my knowing. But these things happen and I have still the footage from that day. It is just memories.”

Lingard added: “As for the dancing and the goal celebrations, it’s all natural. Mum can dance, dad can dance and my brother owns a dance school in Greece. I don’t go out of my way to practice or anything like that.

“And the important thing is that as soon as I get on the pitch it is all about hard work. I know I have to concentrate on winning.”