Jesse Lingard wants to follow in the footsteps of Tom Cleverley and be a hit at Leicester City while on loan before returning to establish himself in the Manchester United first team.
The 19-year-old midfielder said the rise of Cleverley, who experienced his first loan spell with City during Nigel Pearson's first tenure as boss before becoming a first-team regular at United and playing for England, was an inspiration.
Lingard, who is an attacking midfielder, equally effective on the flank or behind the strikers, said he is relishing his one month with City and would even like to stay for the rest of the season, and contribute to a successful promotion push.
"I look at Tom Cleverley and what he has achieved, becoming part of the United first team, and he had his first loan move to Leicester," said Lingard. "He stepped up and it would be good to follow in his footsteps.
"He is someone to look up to because, when he was younger, he was one of the small guys, like me. He didn't get much playing time in the youth team.
"But he went out on loan, stuck at it and worked hard, and that is what I want to do.
"We are near the top of the table so it would be good if I could stay for the whole season and help in getting promoted."
Lingard was one of United's stars of the reserve team last season but he jumped at the chance to join City.
"I was told of Leicester's interest on Sunday night and I didn't have to think about it," he said.
"I wanted to come straight away and I came down on Sunday night to train on Monday.
"This is the chance I have been waiting for. I was one of the main players in the reserves last year and I wanted to get some first-team experience.
"I was asked if I fancied coming to Leicester because they play good football and it would suit my way of playing.
"I spoke to (assistant boss) Steve Walsh at first and Nigel rang me as well and said he couldn't wait for me to train on Monday."
Lingard has been joined by defender Michael Keane, who also made his debut in Tuesday's draw at Bolton, and there are plenty more United connections at City which have helped him settle in.
"It is great that Michael came as well because I would have been more nervous on my own," he added.
"But I know a few of the lads anyway, like Matty James, Danny Drinkwater and Ritchie De Laet. It's like a second home."
