I'll always prefer someone with a bit more quality on the ball, but credit where it's due, he was our best attacker tonight. Won the ball back high up the pitch several times with his pressing, won us loads of free-kicks and he really grew into the game as it went on and had some nice combinations with AWB down the right.
21
5.6
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 46
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- 4
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 4
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Jim Beam
Gets aroused by men in low socks
You're going to the other extreme. He had a decent match, but no way he was our best attacker.Have I missed something here, he was our best attacker all match.
Rashford did feck all, lingard is just pathetic at everything and martial was quiet apart from his goal.
So stupid people are writing him off with one match ffs.
Martial was excellent and Rashford was pretty good in the 1st half (not so good in the 2nd though).
Time is on his side. I just wish we had more quality for our first 11 and use him as a super sub in the last 20-30 minutes when the other team is already tired. At least in this first season until he gets more used to the league and the whole team.
Amadaeus
Pochémon Fan Club Chairman
Not enough quality. He can be devastating coming of the bench as a super sub. But, he should not be near the first team. Lingard as well. Maybe it because he is not a right attacker? Whatever the case is, United need urgent surgery in our attack on the right and through the middle. I would have Gomes, Greenwood, Pereira and Chong ahead
Champagne Football
New Member
A very very rough diamond. Will get much better but he's 2 years away from being a consistently solid player if he makes it here. But in the meantime offers pace, energy and desire which can still help the team in some ways.
wolvored
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I wouldnt start him. Bring him on around 70 mins to run at tired legs. He needs to cut the diving out as well.
red woppit
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Was surprised that he started tonight, then perhaps Wolves were as well, he's still got a lot to work on, but reminded me of Steve Coppell when he chased back several times and won the ball back. Would be ideal coming off the bench I think, but will frighten a lot of teams with his pace. Wolves tend to play a little deeper than other Prem teams, so he never had the space in behind to run into, Chong or Gomes have that bit more skill set, so can change onto either foot, James has yet to learn that, but will be a very good player possibly next season.
youngrell
Full Member
Christ, after reading this thread I’m starting to think it was our fans booing him all night.
People need to relax a little.
People need to relax a little.
Litch
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Correct. Some of the comments are ridiculous and this is all part of his education.Christ, after reading this thread I’m starting to think it was our fans booing him all night.
People need to relax a little.
thegregster
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He didn't dive. Moss is just useless.I wouldnt start him. Bring him on around 70 mins to run at tired legs. He needs to cut the diving out as well.
Pogue Mahone
The caf's Camus.
I thought he did well. The only player who looked like getting to the byline. Him and AWB have the makings of a decent partnership. He needs more protection than that fat twat Moss was willing to give him though.
dannyrhinos89
OMG socks and sandals lol!
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Christ, after reading this thread I’m starting to think it was our fans booing him all night.
People need to relax a little.
It’s utterly ridiculous. Starts in his first competitive match, away to a team that are pushing for top 6 and people automatically assume he’s not good enough. When he didn’t even play terrible either.
AltiUn
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Thought he started very poorly but once he grew into the game he was actually quite good, won a fair few fouls. I do think he looked very nervous, but it's to be expected. I'll cut him some slack because he's obviously not a right winger, but he tried his best and his defensive contribution was really good.
Irwin99
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Impressed that he didn't go missing after a not so good first half. Good workrate.
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I can sort of understand why United signed him, but he looks a long long way from being anywhere near the quality you'd expect from a top six Premier League club. He shouldn't be starting league games for you.
AltiUn
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It's good that he was the only player on either team who wanted to get to the byline even if the end product wasn't quite there.I thought he did well. The only player who looked like getting to the byline. Him and AWB have the makings of a decent partnership. He needs more protection than that fat twat Moss was willing to give him though.
Jam
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I like the lad, he’s positive and has the right mentality for the club but obviously he’s still very rough; I don’t think he should be a starter but I’m more than happy to see him in and around the first team and develop with us. He could have a bright future.
Bobski
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Still think he will be best suited to being an impact sub. Massive pressing energy and to exploit tiring legs.
stevoc
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We really shouldn't, i think almost everyone has had their fill of Mata on the right wing the last 5 years.Would rather have him on the pitch than Pereira but we should really start playing Mata there.
Thankfully it looks like Ole doesn't like Mata on the wing either. James wasn't amazing tonight but he offered much more to the team in terms of being an outlet who actually stays on the right wing and helping the fullback more than Mata does out there.
El Jefe
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He started very poorly but got better as the match went on and was actually pretty good in his last 10mins.
The problem for us is that he's not really creative. He hardly puts in good balls or takes on his man.
The problem for us is that he's not really creative. He hardly puts in good balls or takes on his man.
Yeah looked out of his depth at first and I was thinking we should sub him but he actually did quite well towards the end of the game. All that made me think though was that he would be better as an impact sub. It just isn't obvious who we have that is better. Sanchez maybe if he can remember how to play and where... not sure I would trust him to hold his position. And we know Mata and Lingard don't. At least James played as a RW and gave us good shape.
He’s the type of player that Guardiola would mould into a weapon. He’ll have him playing 1-2 in channels on the edge of the box making use of his lightening acceleration and above average quick ball control.
He also crosses with purpose. Pep would love that. He’s not just squaring it hoping for the best, he’s actually trying to carve a chance based on where his team mates are in the box. If he were to play in a system that is designed to create fast cut back opportunities like City then he would rack up many assists and probably goals.
Unfortunately we have him shafted out to the right side in a meaningless role. It’s just a hole we’re trying to cover that has been vacant for many years, ever since Valencia stopped terrorizing down the right.
He also crosses with purpose. Pep would love that. He’s not just squaring it hoping for the best, he’s actually trying to carve a chance based on where his team mates are in the box. If he were to play in a system that is designed to create fast cut back opportunities like City then he would rack up many assists and probably goals.
Unfortunately we have him shafted out to the right side in a meaningless role. It’s just a hole we’re trying to cover that has been vacant for many years, ever since Valencia stopped terrorizing down the right.
ice-bionic red
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He’s not ready to be more than an impact sub right now
Dante
Average bang
He was one of the worst players on the pitch in the first half. I think his nerves got to him.
I think the quality is there, but the steel isn't. His mentality is otherwise quite strong, so I'm sure he'll get there.
In a less intense/pressurised match, he'd have been fantastic. He's ready to start matches, but not against opposition where there's a weight of expectation on his narrow shoulders.
I think his final 30 minutes are a sign of what he can do when he plays without fear. After that point, he was arguably our best player.
I think the quality is there, but the steel isn't. His mentality is otherwise quite strong, so I'm sure he'll get there.
In a less intense/pressurised match, he'd have been fantastic. He's ready to start matches, but not against opposition where there's a weight of expectation on his narrow shoulders.
I think his final 30 minutes are a sign of what he can do when he plays without fear. After that point, he was arguably our best player.
LilyWhiteSpur
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Good young player but isn’t ready for a starting place, some really odd posts in here about him being the best attacking player.
RedDevilRoshi
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Agree with this.I like the lad, he’s positive and has the right mentality for the club but obviously he’s still very rough; I don’t think he should be a starter but I’m more than happy to see him in and around the first team and develop with us. He could have a bright future.
starman
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Did ok, would have liked to have seen him swap with Rashford on the left in the second half. I would still start him against Palace and drop Lingard instead.
In Rainbows
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That's where I differ. He hasn't exactly shown himself to be some great dribbler or having any kind of vision to produce that final ball. For a wide player at United, that is the standard. Right now James is a useful squad player because he's someone you can bring on to get on the end of counter attacks and can help out defensively. All comes with his pace.He was one of the worst players on the pitch in the first half. I think his nerves got to him.
I think the quality is there, but the steel isn't. His mentality is otherwise quite strong, so I'm sure he'll get there.
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Seeing as he's already 21, he could simply end up a faster Lingard. Not really too fussed about it though as I've accepted we're going to be lacking in that department until we go after someone like Sancho.
Devil may care
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I think he started off a bit on edge but was wrongly booked because the ref got bullied into it by the crowd. Second half he made two or three good runs which led to crosses and played some decent combos with AWB, his best run of the match was when he drifted inside but then didn't seem to have the awareness of where to pass it, which is common of a lot of young wingers and one of the reasons I rate Sancho so highly, his final ball and composure in the final 3rd is superb, especially for his age, but overall it was a solid performance from James and he's very raw but if it's him or Mata/Pereira out there on the RW then I guess he'll get quite a few starts.
Santoryo
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Not ready to be a starter
LoneStar
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He was average in the first half, but slightly better in the second. That run he made, he should have passed it to martial on his right.
Tbh, it's kinda harsh to expect him to hit the ground running and make a major impact this season. We took a punt on a young kid from the championship.
Give him time to gel and get used to the PL. Not saying he's going to make it, but writing him off after one game is idiotic.
Tbh, it's kinda harsh to expect him to hit the ground running and make a major impact this season. We took a punt on a young kid from the championship.
Give him time to gel and get used to the PL. Not saying he's going to make it, but writing him off after one game is idiotic.
MattyB1986
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He was always going to be raw on arrival. He has a great attitude, work-rate. The final product, composure will come with time when he integrates with his team mates, experience in the league. All good for his education right now.
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Football at this level is as much about guile as pace. James doesn’t have the guile required. Mason should have started and James off the bench if required.
Ole will realize that Greenwood is ahead of James (and Gomes is ahead of Lingard/Mata) at some point. It is a test if him as a manager to see how quickly that happens.
Ole will realize that Greenwood is ahead of James (and Gomes is ahead of Lingard/Mata) at some point. It is a test if him as a manager to see how quickly that happens.
Does this guy not remind people on the "white" Agbonlahor? Bags of pace but next to no ability.
Funky Futurista
Full Member
Didn't see the match but from what I can gather he seems to have had a bit of a tough time.
Think it's way too early to compare him to Lingard. It's true that as of right now he seems most useful as an impact sub, but I'm pretty sure his mentality will take him further than Lingard when it comes to technique and end product. Just needs to be given more time to develop. All players have bad games, and I'm sure he learned a lot from this experience.
Think it's way too early to compare him to Lingard. It's true that as of right now he seems most useful as an impact sub, but I'm pretty sure his mentality will take him further than Lingard when it comes to technique and end product. Just needs to be given more time to develop. All players have bad games, and I'm sure he learned a lot from this experience.
mariachi-19
Full Member
No, because he clearly has ability. He is not a kick and chase merchant. He actually has the ability to drop the shoulder and move the ball away from the defender without need to resort to hoofing it.Does this guy not remind people on the "white" Agbonlahor? Bags of pace but next to no ability.
His end product is limited at this stage but what actual 21 year olds isnt? I'd be more concerned if he was the same age as Lingard.
In the alternative, his pace is frightening and its not just the top end. Once he matures, his acceleration is going to embarrass alot of experienced wing back's and midfielders.
redIndianDevil
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Had a fairly good game, our right wing is much better with him there. He also should to cross with his right foot.
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