James joined Manchester United from Preston North End aged 13. He's an energetic, disciplined central midfielder who's capable of covering at right back, as a winger or even as a striker. Having only been a bit-part Academy player in 2011/12 he had an excellent 2012/13 season proving to be a key player in the Under-18 side.
In 2013/14 James has found opportunities in the Under-21 side hard to come by and has been used mainly as a substitute. He scored crucial goals at home to Norwich City and away to Reading having come on to replace James Wilson in both games.
Following a strong finish to the 2014/15 season, James became an increasingly influential player in the Under-21 side and captained the team on occasions at the start of the 2015/16 season. In January 2016 James was an unused substitute for the first team away to Newcastle United and then again a month later away to Sunderland. In February 2016, before James was an unused substitute for the first team away to FC Midtjylland, Louis van Gaal stated that James had everything to be a first team player at Manchester United. Having been an unused substitute on three occasions, James made his debut as a late substitute for Ander Herrera at home to Arsenal at the end of February.
On deadline day of the summer 2016 transfer window, James signed a three year contract with Hull City.