James Wilson
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- Birthdate: 01 Dec 1995
- Birthplace: Biddulph
- Position: Striker
- Joined United: 01 Jul 2012
- United Debut: 6 May 2014
- International: England U19
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- Age: 18
- Born: Staffordshire
- Debut days: Wilson loves a debut. The striker scored on his United academy debut aged 15 and also found the back of the net during his debut for the England under-19s in 2013.
- Interesting fact: Wilson signed professionally for United on his 17th birthday on 2012.
- Feeling old, Ryan? Ryan Giggs had won two league titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup before James Wilson was even born.
- Road to Rio: Some bookmakers have now put a price of 50/1 on for Wilson to be named in Roy Hodgson's 2014 World Cup squad
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An exciting talent who scored on his Under-18 debut as a 15-year-old when hitting the net against Everton.
Often played ahead of his age group, he was called up to England Schoolboys when still performing at Under-15 level, the silky striker was scouted by United when only seven years old.
Although he can play out wide on the left, he is at his most effective down the middle and is filling out to be able to thrive in that demanding role.
After recovering from a broken ankle that cruelly halted his progress, he was back in time to score a dramatic injury-time winner against Charlton Athletic in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final - surely the stuff of dreams to do so at Old Trafford at the tender age of 16.
Even though he made 10 starts (and five substitute appearances), only three players scored more than the six strikes he managed for the Under-18s and some of his finishes were top class, displaying composure and a real poacher's eye.
Remarkably, he was handed an early taste of Reserves football when coming off the bench in the fixture at West Bromwich Albion and, providing he stays injury-free and continues developing at youth level, there should be plenty to look forward to for the Biddulph-born forward in terms of more opportunities at that level.
Wilson signed professional forms on his 17th birthday towards the end of 2012 but had to deal with injury issues throughout the campaign. Nevertheless, he was still top scorer and a final tally of 14 goals in 13 starts (five further appearances off the bench) demands attention.
Five of those strikes came in one memorable win at Newcastle, four inside the first half and they were his first efforts of the league programme. After scouring the record books, only Deiniol Graham's double hat-trick in an 8-2 thumping of Marine Reserves in early 1990 outscores Wilson throughout Sir Alex Ferguson's entire tenure at Old Trafford.
Wilson nudged his way into contention at Under-21 level and could find himself involved for both age-groups in 2013/2014 if he continues to impress. He netted in the Reserves' Manchester Senior Cup game at Bury and captained the Under-18s while scoring and making goals with remarkable consistency.
By becoming a regular for England Under-19s, it seems obvious that his talents are being appreciated further afield and he took to the UEFA Youth League like a duck to water, keeping up his fine scoring run.
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