Difference between revisions of "James Wilson"

Revision as of 15:38, 10 January 2018

James Wilson is a forward currently playing for Manchester United.

Youth career

James is a forward with a rapidly growing reputation as he continues to make excellent progress through the ranks at Manchester United. His acceleration, dribbling and calm finishing have made him lethal at youth level and he has become known for rounding goalkeepers. He's capable of scoring on either foot and from any distance. At 5ft 11 he's finished growing.

Having been with the club since the age of 8, James had been earmarked as a potential first team player for some time, regularly playing above his age group. In April 2011, aged 15, he scored 4 goals in a 7-1 win over Leeds United in an Under-16 game and was seldom far from the Under-18 side for much of the second half of that season. He started the 2011/12 season with the Under-18 side despite being 15 but sustained a serious ankle injury in August that would keep him out for over 4 months. Later that season he'd make his Manchester United Under-21 debut as a schoolboy.

The 2012/13 season would continue where the previous campaign had left off. In the September he scored 5 goals in a 7-1 away win over Newcastle United but it would be the 2013/14 season that would take him to a new audience. Aged 17, he was called into the England Under-19 squad in August 2013 and that would be just the start of a remarkable season. Stunning early season goals against Under-18 teams from Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers were followed by strong performances in the UEFA Youth League, and then a hat-trick against the Under-21 side from Wolverhampton Wanderers. A place on the bench for the first team away to Newcastle United was followed by a debut start at home to Hull City which saw him score twice. He became the first Manchester United player to score goals (at nearly a goal a game) for the Under-18, Under-19, Under-21 and first team in one season.

James started the 2014/15 season by scoring all four goals in the Manchester Senior Cup final win over Manchester City. This was followed by a second first team appearance, coming off the bench away to MK Dons in the League Cup 2nd Round. He has continued to be involved with the first team and is a regular on the bench.

James joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in November 2015 for the remainder of the season.

In August 2016, James joined Derby County on loan for the 2016/17 season. He sustained a bad knee injury in October 2016 that saw him return to Manchester United for treatment (surgery) and his loan was mutually terminated in February 2017 as he remained sidelined.

James made his competitive comeback from injury in late August 2017 away to Tottenham with the Manchester United Under-23 side. He joined Sheffield United on loan in January 2018 for the rest of the 2017/18 season.

International

James has represented England at Under-16 and Under-19 level.

Career statistics

Career honours

Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2013/14

Contract