Sports
Derby confirm interest in Manchester United teenager James Wilson
Derby County have moved to sign the Manchester United striker James Wilson on loan.
Despite selling Javier Hernández to Bayer Leverkusen and allowing Adnan Januzaj to join Borussia Dortmund on loan, United manager Louis van Gaal looks likely to allow Wilson – one of only four recognised forwards at Old Trafford – to move, albeit with an emergency recall clause.
It has been reported that more than 20 clubs have enquired about the 19-year-old, who has yet to feature this season for United, and Derby manager Paul Clement has revealed he is among those interested.
“It is a possibility but not a certainty,” said Clement. “We have shown an interest. He is a very talented player and a number of other clubs have shown an interest as well. We are waiting to hear back from Manchester United.”
Clement, the former Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid coach, is the second Championship manager to confirm his interest in Wilson after Bolton’s Neil Lennon did likewise. MK Dons and Wolves are also understood to be on the list.
Wilson has been frustrated by a lack of opportunities in the past year despite making a breakthrough under caretaker Ryan Giggs towards the end of the 2013-14 season. A series of niggling injuries have also slowed his progress.
He has played just 17 minutes of first-team football since February and United recognise he needs more competitive games to develop. Wilson came off the bench to score the winning goal for the England Under-21 team against USA U23s in their 1-0 friendly victory at Deepdale on Thursday.
Despite selling Javier Hernández to Bayer Leverkusen and allowing Adnan Januzaj to join Borussia Dortmund on loan, United manager Louis van Gaal looks likely to allow Wilson – one of only four recognised forwards at Old Trafford – to move, albeit with an emergency recall clause.
It has been reported that more than 20 clubs have enquired about the 19-year-old, who has yet to feature this season for United, and Derby manager Paul Clement has revealed he is among those interested.
“It is a possibility but not a certainty,” said Clement. “We have shown an interest. He is a very talented player and a number of other clubs have shown an interest as well. We are waiting to hear back from Manchester United.”
Clement, the former Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid coach, is the second Championship manager to confirm his interest in Wilson after Bolton’s Neil Lennon did likewise. MK Dons and Wolves are also understood to be on the list.
Wilson has been frustrated by a lack of opportunities in the past year despite making a breakthrough under caretaker Ryan Giggs towards the end of the 2013-14 season. A series of niggling injuries have also slowed his progress.
He has played just 17 minutes of first-team football since February and United recognise he needs more competitive games to develop. Wilson came off the bench to score the winning goal for the England Under-21 team against USA U23s in their 1-0 friendly victory at Deepdale on Thursday.
