James relives emotion of debut Reds goal

DANIEL James has opened up on his memories of scoring on his debut for the club against Chelsea, while admitting he was a fan of the London side when he was young.

A then 21-year-old James was among the substitutes for the opening game of the 2019/20 season, where he may not have expected to get an opportunity.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side stormed into a 3-0 lead, courtesy of a brace from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial’s effort, which allowed James to earn his debut.

James was introduced for the final 15 minutes of the match and, ironically, his debut came against the side he supported as a youngster - though it was claimed that he supported Liverpool.

“When I signed for United, I can’t remember who it was, one of the Sky Sports [pundits] said: ‘he supports Liverpool ‘. I was thinking I don’t support Liverpool, but I never wanted to come out and say I supported Chelsea as a youngster,” he told the club’s official podcast.

“It was quite strange playing them in the first game of the season and before the game I never thought I would come on. It’s a big game, I thought it would be a close encounter but we were actually 3-0 up.

“It was goosebumps when the gaffer called my name.

“I think I got 15 minutes which was great. It was surreal and the fans, when I made my debut, it was just great them clapping when you come on and them really cheering you on. That set me alight really.

“I think I made a couple of runs before that and maybe didn’t get the ball and I just made one more run. Paul [Pogba], I didn’t think he’d seen me at the time he played me the ball and I took a touch and I thought this is going to get away from me and I struck it and thankfully it took a nice deflection and went into the back of the net.

“Then it was just pure emotion, goosebumps and I didn’t know what to do with myself really.

“It was very emotional and my family were up at the top of the Stretford End and I think my mum was crying as well.

“It was a brilliant moment and that will always be the number one

Dan James celebrates his goal against Chelsea highlight of my career, even if I go on to do great things I think that will always stick out because It was my debut and it was just unbelievable.”