HITKID JAMES EVEN BETTER THAN VARDY
BY EUAN McLEAN MANCHESTER UNITED coach Clayton Blackmore insists Aberdeen have snapped up the best young prospect he’s ever seen in striker James Wilson.
The on-loan ace is rated even better than England hitman Jamie Vardy by Blackmore, having worked with Wilson at United’s youth academy at Carrington.
A mixture of injury and a lack of patience from managers Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho has ultimately ended his hopes of fulfilling his potential at Old Trafford.
But Blackmore believes Wilson still has what it takes to reach the top and reckons he could become a late bloomer in a similar vein to Vardy, who was in his late 20s when he shot to stardom with Leicester.
He said: “Some players get their breaks at different ages. Look at Vardy, who took longer than most.
“Willo is better than Vardy for me – maybe he’s not as quick but he runs better with the ball and he’s two footed.
“James was the best 15-year-old I’ve ever seen. He was a fantastic finisher with his left foot as good as his right.
“His movement was very good and he steadily improved as he went through the age groups right up to making his first-team debut, when he scored two goals under Ryan Giggs.
“James had a bad injury but he’s still a top player. He just needs to be played in the right position.
“People think he’s a targetman but he’s not, he’s a player who plays off the front. Get him on the ball and get him running at teams.
“He’s fantastic running with the ball and could finish from 30 yards with both feet. There are few players who can do that.”
Dons boss Derek McInnes would be wise to listen to Blackmore’s advice as he seeks a 20-goals-a-season hitman to replace Adam Rooney, who left for Salford.
Blackmore, who came through United’s youth system himself to play under Sir Alex Ferguson beside Mark Hughes and Norman Whiteside, said: “The way United played under van Gaal saw the team getting fewer balls into the strikers.
“James was played as an out-and-out striker on his own and it’s hard to play against two centre-halves all the time as it doesn’t allow you to get on the ball much, which is what James needs to do.
“The style didn’t help anybody and even Wayne Rooney struggled. James needed luck – every player does – and he didn’t get it.”
Another of 22-year-old Wilson’s former coaches at Uni t e d , Rene Muelensteen, also had glowing praise for the potential McInnes will now seek to unlock.
He said: “I coached James when he was seven working on his skills. He was very quick and has that fast twitch muscle tissue. He’s got a strong muscle set-up that enables explosive bursts of pace.”