- Birthdate: 01 Dec 1995
- Birthplace: Biddulph, Staffordshire
- Position: Striker
- Joined United: 01 Jul 2012
- Joined From: United Academy
- United Debut: 6 May 2014 v Hull City (H)
James Wilson is an exciting prospect who enjoyed a remarkable two-goal Premier League debut in the final home game of the 2013/14 season against Hull City.
The fact the 18-year-old found the net did not surprise seasoned watchers of a striker with blistering pace and a deadly reputation in front of goal as his progress continued unabated with caretaker boss Ryan Giggs giving him his head.
It was a display that certainly caught the eye of the United coaching staff, as the boy from Biddulph became a firm part of Louis van Gaal’s plans during the following campaign. There was no greater demonstration of the manager’s faith when the youngster was picked ahead of Radamel Falcao for the home match against Liverpool, with the forward opening his account for the season against QPR a little over a month later. His second and final strike of the campaign came against in the FA Cup third-round replay against Cambridge which, added to a further 16 appearances in a Red shirt, made for positive progress at Old Trafford.
Ending the season as he had started it, by scoring against Manchester City at Reserves level, he looked sharp for Warren Joyce's men and came off the bench in the first-team's goalless draw with Hull City on the final day.
The past two seasons had been something of a whirlwind for the no. 49, as the centre-forward began the 2013/14 season by captaining the Under-18s. Willo, as he is known by team-mates, contributed some amazing strikes - and was the shining light in the UEFA Youth League - leading from the front and inevitably top scoring for the Reds. Following Will Keane’s loan exit, he stepped up to the Under-21s and the goal output did not diminish, as he terrorised defenders with his sprinting prowess and clinical marksmanship.
A first place on the senior bench came at Newcastle United, after he had been in the matchday squads against Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, as it became merely a matter of time before he made his top-flight bow. When the call came, from interim manager Ryan Giggs, he proved ready to be unleashed and was the name on everybody’s lips after the win against Steve Bruce’s Tigers.
Unfortunately, injuries curtailed his impact at Under-21 level and he was withdrawn for the final four games of the campaign for Warren Joyce’s side, including in the 2-1 final defeat against Chelsea at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, there is the distinct impression the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award will be the first of many trophies for the England Under-19 hitman.
At the start of his fledgling career, Wilson even scored on his Under-18 debut as a schoolboy when hitting the net against Everton. Often played ahead of his age group, he was called up to England Schoolboys when still performing at Under-15 level, the silky striker was scouted by United when only seven years old.
After recovering from a broken ankle that cruelly halted his progress, he was back in time to score a dramatic injury-time winner against Charlton Athletic in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final - surely the stuff of dreams to do so at Old Trafford at the tender age of 16.
Even though he made 10 starts (and five substitute appearances), only three players scored more than the six strikes he managed for the Under-18s and some of his finishes were top class, displaying composure and a real poacher's eye.
Remarkably, he was handed an early taste of Reserves football when coming off the bench in the fixture at West Bromwich Albion and, providing he stays injury-free and continues developing at youth level, there should be plenty to look forward to for the Biddulph-born forward in terms of more opportunities at that level.
Wilson signed professional forms on his 17th birthday towards the end of 2012 but had to deal with injury issues throughout the campaign. Nevertheless, he was still top scorer and a final tally of 14 goals in 13 starts (five further appearances off the bench) demanded attention.
Five of those strikes came in one memorable win at Newcastle, four inside the first half and they were his first efforts of the league programme. After scouring the record books, only Deiniol Graham's double hat-trick in an 8-2 thumping of Marine Reserves in early 1990 outscores Wilson throughout Sir Alex Ferguson's entire tenure at Old Trafford.
A four-goal haul accounted for Manchester City in the Senior Cup final at the beginning of 2013/14 and his potential is frightening. If he can shake off any injury niggles, a bright future beckons for James Wilson.
