Daniel James has admitted he did not expect to have such a prominent role under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United this season.
The Welsh winger was a surprise addition from Swansea City this summer, with Solskjaer keen to target young British talent.
And James has certainly made an impression at Old Trafford, establishing himself in the United manager’s preferred attacking trio with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
James has started 19 Premier League games this season, scoring three goals and contributing six assists.
I’m very pleased,
James told ManUtd.com, when discussing the start to his United career.
When I came here I didn’t expect to play so much at the start, but I have, and that’s big credit to the gaffer and the staff here. Now it’s about me continuing to do what I’ve been doing, I want to look at how I can add more goals and more assists to help the team.
“When the gaffer brought me in, he told me that I would play an important role here. Maybe I didn’t think I’d play as much as I’ve played now but that’s down to the gaffer and the staff pushing me and me working hard, and that’s something I’ll continue to do.”
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James has been a revelation this season and has been a constant threat for United on the flank with his raw pace. The 22-year-old still has a number of things he could work on to improve his overall game, such as his decision making.
He has been pushed in recent weeks to maintain his place in the starting eleven by Mason Greenwood, who has been in excellent goalscoring form of late.
Solskjaer is likely to start James in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City at Old Trafford.