Manchester United are open to the idea of Wales winger Daniel James leaving Old Trafford on loan this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that the impending arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus could limit opportunities for the former Swansea City man, which is why a loan transfer to a fellow Premier League club could materialise in the coming 48 hours.
James started United’s 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final top-flight matchday before the international break but was substituted before Mason Greenwood fired in a late winner for the Red Devils. Adam Crafton of the Athletic is reporting that several Premier League clubs are interested in arranging a deal to sign James before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Daniel James Could be Allowed to Leave Manchester United on Loan
Fierce Competition Among Manchester United Forwards
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that this season’s Manchester United side is the strongest he has worked with since becoming the club’s manager. Competition is certainly rich in the forward areas, with Ronaldo’s addition making it even harder for some of the club’s fringe players to gain valuable match action.
As such, the Old Trafford club are willing to allow 23-year-old James to play his football elsewhere this season in a bid to allow the player to keep developing. Summer signing Jadon Sancho looks likely to nail down a place in the United starting line-up on the right-hand side, while the likes of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have excelled when operating on the left. By contrast, James’ best moments for the club have come in bursts, with the speedy winger having failed to build up a sustained spell of form since his early days in a red shirt.
Leeds United Remain Interested
Daniel James came famously close to joining Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United when he was still a Swansea City player, before eventually making the switch to Old Trafford.
Back then, the Elland Road club were in the Championship, and any move for James now seems more complicated given the bitter rivalry that exists between Leeds and Manchester United – who now compete against each other in the Premier League.
Even so, Leeds are reported to have the financial power to complete a transfer for James – either on loan or a permanent deal – before the window closes on August 31.
Given the animosity that exists between the two clubs, any move to Elland Road would perhaps make it difficult for James to improve his prospects at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, the promise of more regular first-team football is not to be ignored, but the player looks to have numerous options to choose from if his parent club does confirm he is on the market.
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