WE’RE NEVER UNDERDOGS

United star James doesn’t fear fortress Anfield

full of high hopes. It has always been like that. Since day one here, you realise that we don’t go into any game as the underdogs. “Everybody is going to be ready for Liverpool. Whoever is picked will be ready to step up. “It will be a case of doing exactly what we did against them last time. “Everyone performed really well, worked hard, and in the end we were unlucky to only get a draw when they scored in the last five minutes. “Like I say, we know how hard this game will be, but I am really looking forward to playing in it. I’ve never played at Anfield before – but we go there with no fear.” James, 22, was seen as one for the future when United succeeded where Leeds failed. The drama of his failed move to Elland Road was captured in the Amazon documentary ‘Take Us Home’, with the two clubs unable to agree a fee as the clock ticked down. Yet James remained a study of calmness – and he has taken everything in his stride since arriving at Old Trafford. The winger has played 31 games for United this season – and defenders have not been slow in putting the boot in. But he said: “I wouldn’t say I am surprised that I’ve played so many games because that’s what the gaffer bought me for.

“The gaffer has a lot of trust in me and I take a lot from that.

“I’ve been kicked a lot, but I just get back up because I know that if you stay down then they think they’ve won the battle.

“It’s all about that no-fear attitude everyone in this team has got – and that this club has always had.

“The reality is that if you don’t think like that, then you don’t play for this club.”

James (left) has welcomed the advice he’s been getting from United legend Ryan Giggs as he has settled into life at Old Trafford.

And he bristles at the suggestion that he was a boyhood Liverpool fan when he was growing up in Kingston-upon-hull.

James said: “It definitely isn’t true that I supported Liverpool.

“It’s been a crazy 12 months and every day I think of what I was doing a year ago. I exchange text messages with Ryan Giggs quite a lot because he was a legend here and someone I see as a big inspiration.

“Obviously, with him being my manager for Wales, he helps me a lot.

“The main message from him when I came here was for me to just be myself – and that’s exactly what I have been.”