Wilson: I’ll show I’m not a slacker
JAMES WILSON was not the first youngster earning big bucks in England’s top flight to have his attitude called into question — and he certainly won’t be the last.
After bursting on to the scene as an 18-year-old for Manchester United with two goals in a remarkable debut against Hull City in 2014, he seemed to have the world at his feet.
Then-manager Louis van Gaal rewarded him with a lucrative four-year deal in September 2015, describing him as ‘one of the brightest English prospects’.
Since signing that contract, however, Wilson has played just 53 minutes of first-team football for United and was farmed out on loan to Brighton, Derby and Sheffield United.
While the striker’s lack of progress can be clearly attributed to a serious knee injury suffered during his spell with the Rams — not to mention the obvious obstacle of star-studded names forming a queue for places at Old Trafford — former United reserve team coach Warren Joyce came up with an alternative theory in January last year as to why Wilson hadn’t pushed on following his startling breakthrough.
‘The frustrating thing is seeing ones like (Adnan) Januzaj, Wilson or Federico Macheda get up to that level and stop doing the work they did to get them to that level,’ claimed Joyce.
‘Not play the games, not train as hard, sit in jacuzzis and not do the same weights and sessions they did to get there. Those are the frustrating ones for me, because that could be avoided.
‘You’re in football for sport, to be competitive and try to do your best and challenge yourself, so those things are on the periphery. You either want to be in a boyband in a pop-star environment, or a footballer.’
Those criticisms of his attitude were denied by Wilson, now 22, as he was unveiled on a season-long loan at Aberdeen yesterday.
But he does recognise that, as he enters the final year of his £30,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford, the time is right to relaunch his career in the lessglamorous surroundings at Pittodrie.
‘I think all that is irrelevant,’ Wilson said of Joyce’s claims. ‘I was working as hard in training (at United) after I broke in, if not even harder. I had my injury but was already on loan by that point.
‘Things didn’t work out at United but I didn’t get the game time I wanted because that’s a big ask at a club like that.
‘I am grateful for the chances I got but I had to move on because I wanted to be someone who showed they can play.
‘My first loan move was at Brighton. Arguably, that was my best spell. I’m not saying I’m trying to replicate it here, but I think it’s good for me to be out of my comfort zone.
‘It’s a good thing moving away, joining a new dressing room and experiencing a new environment.’
Of course, it’s hardly surprising Wilson’s game time was so limited at a club whose striking options include Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial.
That, and the fact his contract with Manchester United ends next summer, means Wilson is well aware that the pressure is really on him to deliver during his loan spell in Scotland.
And he is determined to make the same sort of impact at Aberdeen as previous loan signings James Maddison and Danny Ward, who both went on to make multi-million pound moves to Leicester City.
‘My time at Aberdeen will be the biggest move of my career,’ admitted Wilson. ‘I’ve never been in the last year of my contract before, so my future depends on what happens here.
‘There’s an option to give me another contract but, with all the big-money signings United have made and how my career has gone, I’d expect to be moving on.
‘I’m not totally resigned to the fact I’ll be leaving but it’s highly likely I need to put myself in the shop window this season.
‘That’s football these days. The massive clubs can bring in the big-money signings and go for the players that have proven themselves already.
‘All I can do is to be confident in myself and try to perform day in, day out and, hopefully, progress as a player and a person.
‘I am out of my comfort zone here but I see that as a good thing and, hopefully, the options will come thick and fast at the end.’
His signing ends Derek McInnes’ search for a replacement for top scorer Adam Rooney following his move to English non-league side Salford City, and the Dons boss couldn’t be more pleased with the calibre of striker he has secured.
‘You don’t play for Manchester United if you don’t have something special about you,’ said McInnes. ‘There was a lot expected of him and, for whatever reason — injuries and the like — he finds himself in a situation, like a lot of loan players, where he’s had a lot of ups and downs.
‘Particularly at a club like United, where you can seem so far away from the first team.
‘It’s important now that he feels this is a step to where he needs to get to.
‘He’s already shown in spells in his young career his potential to be a top, top player.
‘If he can play regular football here, then I’m sure that potential will be fulfilled, whether that’s going back to Manchester United or pursuing options elsewhere.’