Could Daniel James be the man to fill Manchester United’s right-wing gap?

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Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

In June 2019, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made his first signing, Wales international Daniel James from Swansea City, and his short career at Old Trafford has been full of ups and downs since his arrival.

The 23-year-old has been nothing short of spectacular for the Red Devils in recent times and is slowly but surely making a hefty case to secure a starting spot on Solskjaer’s team sheet.

In Sunday’s 3-1 win at home to Newcastle United, the Hull-born winger scored a decisive goal to put his side 2-1 up on the night – and Bruno Fernandes went on to secure the three points from the spot 15 minutes before full-time.

James has now scored in back-to-back games across all competitions, and already equalled his Premier League goals tally from last season (three) after just eight games. In total, he has five goals in 13 games this season, one more than he managed in 46 games across all competitions last season.

Furthermore, after Sunday’s matchup, no player has won more fouls (four) in a single league game this season for United than James against Newcastle.

The United boss was over the moon with his Welsh wizard and made his feelings clear post-game.

“We work with him [James], we try to help everyone but of course Dan came from the Championship, he hit a few goals in the first games and it is bound to take some energy from you. He has knuckled down and really worked to get back to full fitness but maybe more so confidence, to believe in himself.”

Daniel James enjoyed that one ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wEv4tefiZc

— utdreport (@utdreport) February 21, 2021

Solskjaer’s plan at the start of the season was to stick with a front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood from left to right, but inconsistencies with Martial and Greenwood have forced the Norwegian to switch things up.

Greenwood has been experiencing some turbulence at Old Trafford and has just four goals so far this season. However, a dip in form was always expected considering the forward’s age and the exhausting media attention that gathers around football’s young stars.

The club recently awarded Mason with a new contract which will keep the academy graduate at the club until 2025. Despite his slow start to the season, there isn’t a single United fan who isn’t certain he will play an instrumental role in the future success of Manchester United.

The summer saga involving Jadon Sancho was most definitely used as motivation for James, who was once labelled ‘not good enough’ by various fans of the club. United’s number 21 isn’t the most talented player in the squad by any stretch of the imagination, but he gives 110% every time he steps on the pitch.

Being directly involved in a goal every 70 minutes for his team, James is emerging as one of the club’s most underrated outlets. Harsh criticism came upon the Welshman after a tough run of form in early 2020, but fans of Manchester United seemed to forget the context in which he was brought in.

Daniel James was not bought by the club to be a starter week in week out and be one of the main goal threats – he was brought in to be a solid squad option for cup competitions and to be the man to look to in the event of an injury.

Unfortunately, as United endured some injury trouble during that period, James started to see frequent game time and was starting most weeks – which essentially left him to burn out.

The amount of pressure on a £15m signing from the Championship was absurd, as some anticipated him to be the next coming of Cristiano Ronaldo instead of holding him to realistic targets.

Now that the player has properly settled in his role as a squad player, we’re starting to see the best of him and what he can bring to the side both off the bench and starting in occasional fixtures.

United face a tough run of fixtures in the Premier League coming up, with away trips to Chelsea and Manchester City on the radar. It’ll be interesting to see whether Solskjaer goes with James as a starter in recognition of his recent form, or plays him as an impact substitute off the bench.

The unlikely star is proving his worth at Old Trafford as the season progresses, to the delight of the Red Army.

Next up is a return leg in the Europa League at home to Real Sociedad, in which the Welshman netted against last week. If he can make it four goals in the last four games – it might be time to get excited.