McInnes wanted to offer Wilson a home

DEREK McINNES might have been “really pleased to get him in” during the summer, but there were raised eyebrows among the Aberdeen supporters when the manager offered James Wilson (right) a contract.

The former Manchester United striker’s seasonlong loan at Pittodrie came to a conclusion at the end of last term, an underwhelming spell given that in 19 appearances the striker scored just four goals.

McInnes gave no indication that hiring the kid Louis van Gaal, during his time as Manchester United’s manager, thought worth a £30,000-aweek, four-year deal, would re-join the Granite City side in the summer, but he saw something in the player to persuade him he can bring value to his squad. “I’m really pleased to get James in,” he said. “I kept in touch with him since the back end of last season and was always hopeful. He’s a boy who I hope now that he is an Aberdeen player rather than a Manchester United player, we can really work with. “He was really influential towards the end of last season and we feel now he has found a home where he will be a bit more settled as opposed to being a Manchester United player who was put out here, there and everywhere.”

Wilson 23, was also on loan at Brighton, Derby and Sheffield United, though his scoring rate at those clubs was unconvincing. McInnes added: “There is a young player there who had a lot to deal with in his short career but hopefully his best years are ahead of him and he can repay our faith in him. “Everybody seems to know the level of contract he was on which was a huge amount on a four-year deal which for a young man is not easy to deal with. He was really just floating at Manchester United the last few seasons and nobody really gave him an incentive.

“He had injuries and a few disappointing loans and I think there was a perception he was underachieving. But James is a boy you need to get to know.

“There is a confident player in there, a lovely footballer, a real technician who has speed and we just need to get him polished off now and as fit and strong as he can be.

“If we do that, hopefully that quality willcomethroughinanAberdeenshirt.

“There were other clubs offering much more money than we could but he feels he has made the right decision. Time will tell.

“He has work to do and he needs to throw himself into this. We’ll put everything into getting the best out of him but he has to do it too.”