Red Devil Wilson is on a Dons mission
NEW Aberdeen striker James Wilson has vowed to relaunch his career at Pittodrie after failing to fulfil his potential at Manchester United. Wilson, 22, whose move from Old Trafford on a season-long loan deal was exclusively revealed by Sportsmail yesterday, will be expected to plug the gap which was left by Adam Rooney’s move to Salford City last month. And the 6ft forward, once hailed as ‘one of the brightest young English prospects’ by former United manager Louis van Gaal, says he is determined to hit the ground running after describing his switch to the Granite City as ‘the biggest move of my career’. Wilson, entering the last 12 months of a lucrative four-year contract with his parent club, said: ‘Things didn’t work out at United but I didn’t get the game time I wanted. ‘I am grateful for the chances I got but I just had to move on because I wanted to be someone who showed they can play.’ The former England Under-21 cap, who has also had loan spells at Brighton, Derby and
Sheffield United, added: ‘My time at Aberdeen will be the biggest move of my career. ‘I have never been in the last year of my contract before, so my future depends on what happens here. ‘There is 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 will be leaving but it’s highly likely I need to put myself in the shop window this season. ‘All I can do is 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 of it.’ Wilson first hit the headlines when, at 18, he scored twice on his Manchester United debut in a 3-1 win over Hull. But he has since made only six starts and 14 substitute appearances, netting twice more for the English giants. Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to secure James on a season-long loan as he is a player I feel will very quickly become an important member of the squad for us. ‘He is a real quality player, who I think will suit the way we play and, having spoken to him, I think he sees this move as a real opportunity for him. ‘There were other clubs interested in taking James but he feels this is the right place for him to continue his development.’