Jesse Lingard believes Manchester United were on course to win a trophy and seal a top-four spot in the league before the season was brought to a grinding halt by the coronavirus.
But the English attacker also acknowledges that United's trophy aspirations are put into perspective by the ramifications of the current global pandemic.
United had been in fine form before the March lockdown kicked in after going 11 games unbeaten.
They were up to fifth in the Premier League table and had just completed the double over rivals Manchester City for the first time in a decade.
A place in the FA Cup quarter-final had been secured thanks to a 3-0 win at Wayne Rooney's Derby County and United had blown away Austrian side LASK 5-0 in the Europa League last-16 first leg.
Their flying form had started when they swept aside fears of being on the end of an FA Cup fourth-round giant-killing at Tranmere Rovers, by thrashing the third-tier outfit 6-0 in January.
Lingard had scored his second goal of the season at Prenton Park and it felt like a corner had been turned after frustrating first half of the campaign.
“We had found a rhythm and were growing in confidence, so we were looking forward to a great end to the season," said Lingard.
"I think we could go on to win a trophy and finish in the top four if things restart, but things like this [the coronavirus] put things in perspective.
"Everyone is in the same boat and it seems to be bringing people together."
Players from different clubs have been brought together as one team to try and provide some help for those on the frontline dealing with Covid-19.
Lingard joined both teammates and rivals for the #FootballUnited initiative that has seen players unite to donate much-needed funds for the British National Health Service.
“We’re lucky that we’re able to help,” said Lingard. “It’s a great thing to come together and support the NHS, that’s the most important thing in all of this.
"They’re under huge pressure and I’m just in awe of what they’re doing.”
People across the UK have been embracing apps such as Zoom and Houseparty in an effort to keep fit and stay in touch with work colleagues during the lockdown – and the football world is no different.
Lingard has been joined in quarantine by former reserve teammate Larnell Cole – who now plays in the seventh tier of the English football league system with FC United – and the two have turned to the kitchen, as well as reruns of previous matches, to help keep them occupied.
“I’ve been doing a load of cooking,” says 27-year-old Lingard. “Larnell has been really good company and he’s showed me how to cook for myself. I’m now following a lot of YouTube tutorials as I try and learn more recipes.
“I’ve never really had to cook for myself before and so it’s a good opportunity to become a bit more independent. I’ve loved it, so it’s something I think I’ll definitely carry on when all of this is over.
“My speciality is chicken and chilli pasta, which was a favourite at Carrington [United’s training ground].
“The club nutritionist has been helping us with what to buy, where to get it from and what food we need to eat to help maintain our peak weight, so I’ve really been enjoying that side of things.”
Lingard and Cole both miss the day-to-day involvement of training, which is why the duo are being sent video footage of the matches they played together to help them fill the void.
The duo progressed through the Manchester United academy at the same time between 2011 and 2014, before Cole moved to Fulham, and they played for the reserves together when they weren’t out on various loan spells.
“It has given us a good chance to reminisce,” says Lingard, before stating that the two are pushing each other in the gym as they try and maintain some semblance of match fitness.
“We’re in the gym twice a day and hitting the garden to play football, so we’re into a bit of a routine. I hit the gym after breakfast and then just try and find ways to burn off energy.
"I like to go for a long run, maybe 13km, to get some distance in the legs and open up the lungs, and combine that with some interval training.
"You can’t replicate the match sharpness, but the interval training helps. We’ve been speaking a lot as a team on Whatsapp, too. It’s good just to check in and make sure everyone’s okay.
"Lee Grant is the main guy sending all the gifs and funny stuff, so he’s been great for the mood.”
