CAMERON KEEN FOR MORE FIRST-TEAM ACTION
In Saturday's programme, United Review, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson looked back on a whirlwind few weeks as he discussed his senior Manchester United debut and being part of the first-team squad...
Did U21s football prepare you at all for the Premier League?
I think it’s more about the physicality and the change in pace of the games. It’s a lot different to the U18s as you can sometimes get away with certain things, but if you make a mistake in the U21s, you get punished. I think playing against bigger and stronger players is a better test for you. It definitely helped coming up against senior players and testing yourself because it’s what you’re going to face in league football.
In terms of your technique, you’re left-footed so often play on that flank when you’re not in the middle of the defence…
I can operate on the right but I’m mainly used at centre-back or on the left-hand side. I enjoy either of the two positions as I’ve been rotated through them both. So I feel I’ve got a good understanding of both roles and it doesn’t really bother me where I play.
Your debut was part a whirlwind weekend for you because you were instantly called up to the England U19s squad for the first time…
I’d played in the U16s and U17s so I knew most of the lads in there and they are all good guys. It’s always an honour to represent your country and we played one game over in Holland, against Tim [Fosu-Mensah] and drew 2-2 before facing Japan at Manchester City’s training ground. So it was more good experience for me.
Another big step followed when you came on in Wolfsburg for your European debut…
Again, it was a dream come true. Making my Champions League debut at 18! My family were all so proud and I got loads of text messages from everyone saying how proud they were of me. I wasn’t nervous. To be honest, I don’t think I had time to be nervous. Matteo [Darmian] got injured and I warmed up very quickly and was soon thrown on.
You played your part in the build-up to Jesse’s disallowed goal – that was a key incident on a bad night for the Reds…
Jesse whipped it in and the referee initially gave the goal but they’ve gone to the assistant referee and disallowed it. I was very disappointed with that but you’ve got to take positives, even from a negative. The Europa League is still a very good tournament. It’s not the Champions League but there are still some of the top teams from throughout Europe in it. A lot of sides have Champions League experience and hopefully we’ll do well in the competition because we will be aiming to win it.
You also got a taste of continental football in the UEFA Youth League this season…
I played in three of the games and it is a different test. It is more about keeping the ball and breaking the opponents down. It is a lot more tactical and, although we did not qualify, I feel we did okay – especially in a couple of the ties.
The manager praised your performance in the 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth. Did you feel you’d played well in the game?
Yeah, I thought I had a good game even if the result was very disappointing. He has worked with some of the biggest names in world football so it’s great to hear that kind of encouragement from him. It’s wonderful for me to be working under Louis van Gaal and Ryan Giggs as I can learn so much. I just think I could still do more to influence those sort of games. I know I’m still young but I must try to have more influence in being able to grab a match by the scruff of the neck. I want to drive the game as much as the other players do. I realise I’m young and still learning and that will come over time. I need to keep working hard in training so I can drive the games later on.
You launched into two brave aerial challenges towards the end against the Cherries. Was it your way of showing you were determined to make your mark?
I think so. It’s just one of those things. I don’t give up. I keep going until the end. I think that is a good way of showing it. You have to be on your game, even if things are not going well – you must try something else and never give up. I’ll always keep going until the final whistle. I think I’ve always had that determination but the coaches here helped nurture it. Warren [Joyce] works us hard every day in terms of getting fit and improving our running power. He drills it into you mentally to never give up. Paul [McGuinness] does as well but he focuses on developing how we are as players. Warren has helped me a lot to become a professional and push on. He’s developing me as a man so I can compete in senior football. Especially with the modern game being faster than before, you have to be fitter and stronger to cope with the demands.
It was a tough week – physically and mentally – but the focus can now purely be on the domestic front for this busy period. Will that help?
I think we can push on. Obviously, with the squad we’ve got and the way we had been getting results until recently, we’ve been doing well. We just have to put the last few games behind us, look forward and push on and hopefully be title contenders. That is what Manchester United want to do. All the fans want us to do it and all the players want to win the league. That is the ambition.
Players do not get any time for celebrations over Christmas – is it something you are used to?
It’s just how it is, isn’t it? This is what I want to do and what comes along with it. It is a small sacrifice we have to make. I’ve had it over the years and can never complain because you are living the life you want to live.
Finally, 2015 must have exceeded all your expectations. What are your aims for 2016?
I suppose I would just like to become a regular in the first-team squad. That is what I’ve got to aim for, getting regular minutes in the Manchester United side. I need to make sure I’m in the manager’s thoughts and will keep working hard. I have to be ready for anything and, although I’m young and still learning, I think I can become a regular one day.
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