The 22-year-old picked up a knee injury just minutes into the first game of the season with United, which ruled him out of action for over four months.
After his recovery and rehabilitation, Lingard has now featured in two games for United’s Under-21 side as well as a training ground practice game.
Lingard's last Under-21s appearance came in the win over Wales in May 2014
And the former Birmingham City and Brighton loanee admits he’s champing at the bit for more time on the pitch as he aims to make an impact in the second half of the season.
"It's obviously amazing to be back," said Lingard, following United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in the U21s Premier League.
"I think I'm very close now [to full fitness]. I started the Norwich game and played about 70 minutes but began cramping up.
"I had a behind-closed-doors game and played the full 90 minutes in that, and another 90 minutes here, so I feel really good."
The injury also saw Lingard miss the final stages of England Under-21s’ Euro qualification campaign, as the Three Lions secured their place at the Finals in Czech Republic in June.
But after playing a major role in the early stages of qualification and being a player highly-regarded by England Under-21s boss Gareth Southgate, Lingard’s return will come as a great boost for both club and country.
"The physios and backroom staff worked with me from day one to get the knee right," he told MUTV after Monday’s game.
"I don't think the boss [Louis Van Gaal] wanted to rush me into any games really, especially as he said I would come back at the end of the December when, in fact, it was the start [of the month].
"I thought the boss didn't want to rush me and now I feel it's the right time to get back playing."
Southgate’s Under-21s are next in action in March, when they face Czech Republic in Prague on Friday 27 March, before returning to play Germany at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Monday 30 March.
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