One of the unusual transfers that Manchester United made ahead of the 2019-20 season was the signing of Daniel James from the Championship side, Swansea City. The Welsh international, who was set to sign with the Red Devils’ arch-rivals Leeds United just a few months prior in the 2019 January transfer window, made the move to Old Trafford in a £15 million deal.
The 22-year-old, who many thought was brought in to bolster the squad depth, has started in more games than even he would have envisaged. After a promising first-half of the season, his performances have tailed off lately, which is expected from someone who broke through into the Swansea City senior team just last season.
The pacey winger has played 40 times in all competitions for the Red Devils this season, scoring 4 goals and providing 7 assists in all competitions. James has been played out wide on both flanks and has even played as part of a front two in big games. His pace and energy have troubled some defences, including a strong Manchester City side at the Etihad earlier in the season.
Daniel James is a player who is still raw and needs time to grow and develop as a winger, especially if he is to play a starring role at Old Trafford in the future. His decision making is not good enough to start every game for a Manchester United side who are certainly on the up, while he also needs to be physically stronger if he is to be a success at the club. With talks of Jadon Sancho joining the club next season, who plays in the same position as James, the Welsh international’s opportunities will be virtually non-existent if that move materialises.
And with the emergence of Mason Greenwood as a solid option out wide, it would be in James’ best interest to go on loan next season, perhaps to another Premier League side. The Welshman is just 22 years of age and is just in his second year of senior football. A spell at a club like Everton or Sheffield United would do him a world of good and help become a better player once he returns to Manchester United.
Daniel James has the talent, drive and determination to be a success at Old Trafford – for him to make an impact at Manchester United, he needs to get some game time and play consistently, week in and week out.
We realise much will depend on Ole’s preference and the fact that Mason Greenwood has shone through brilliantly since Project Restart. But with the promise shown by Daniel James after being thrown into the deep end this season, he has shown he belongs to the Premier League.
