THE BULLETIN

Daniel James is determined to respond to a difficult time for Manchester United by improving Wales’ Euro 2020 qualification hopes.

United have made their worst start to a top-flight campaign for 30 years after picking up only nine points from their opening eight games.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle – who started the day only one place off the bottom of the table – left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side just two points above the relegation zone.

“It’s important in football to react when things aren’t going so well,” said James, who has been United’s standout performer with three goals since his £15 million summer move from Swansea.

“It’s alright when things are going good, but it’s important to deal with things when they are bad.

“I’ve had a good start personally [at United] and I’m enjoying my football. It’s about taking that into playing for Wales as well.”

James has had a meteoric rise from Swansea bit-part player to United first-team regular in the past 12 months.

The 21-year-old scored the winner on his first Wales start in March – against Thursday’s Euro 2020 qualifying opponents Slovakia.

But James says he can handle the huge pressure that comes with being in the United spotlight as well as a fully-fledged international.

“European football (with United) is similar to playing away in these countries. When you are expected to win the group then going away to any team Slovakia, Azerbaijan, whoever with different atmospheres, pitches and cultures, then it is really difficult.”

Everton midfielder Fabian Delph will miss England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria after withdrawing from the squad through injury.

The 29-year-old moved to Goodison Park from Manchester City in the summer and earned a Three Lions recall having missed out on the first squad of the new season. But, despite playing the entirety of Eveton’s 1-0 loss at Burnley on Saturday, he has pulled out through injury – with manager Gareth Southgate opting against calling up a replacement.

As a result, England will head to Prague for Friday night’s game against the Czech Republic with a 24-man squad.

Delph has 20 senior caps to his name and is a favourite of Southgate, who continued to select the former Aston Villa man even when he was struggling to break into the team at City