Jesse Lingard has not played in the Premier League for Manchester United yet - but reckons a move to Albion could be the next best thing.

The Old Trafford prospect believes his stint with the Seagulls for the rest of the season will help him make the big breakthrough into United's first team.

Lingard is held in high regard by David Moyes. Sir Alex Ferguson's successor took the versatile 21-year-old striker on United's pre-season tour to Australia and Asia.

Lingard scored four goals in as many games before going on loan to Birmingham for three months.

Moyes included him again on United's mid-season break to Dubai and he was an unused substitute against Swansea last month.

Birmingham wanted Lingard back but the slightly built Lancastrian, with 18 months left on his contract at United, regards Albion as an ideal destination on his journey towards their first team.

He said: "Brighton play a lot of good football and the stadium is good. It's like a Premiership team I think.

"I've seen a few clips of them. They obviously like to keep the ball. I like to get on the ball and try to create chances but it's good that they have overall possession of the game, try to control the game and win a lot of matches.

"I like playing for team that get on the ball and let me have the ball and just be free really, roam about and do what I do.

"It's just like another stepping stone. It'll probably have to be the last stepping stone really. My main aim is to get into the play-offs and then break into Man United's team next year."

Lingard looks as well-suited to Albion as they are for him, an extra attacking spark for a side that has only scored more than once in a match in the Championship since early December and more support for Leo Ulloa.

"He has scored a lot of goals and obviously it would be good to play with him, getting the second balls off him and learning probably from him," Lingard said.