Wilson Making His Mark

In his first in-depth interview, speaking before his two-goal debut against Hull City, 18-year-old James Wilson discusses his progress with Inside United...

We hear your father wasn’t really into football but realised you were special by watching you play in the back garden. Is that true?
Well, he’s more of a snooker man! He always used to talk about my grandad as well, as he could remember me kicking a ball around with him when I was little.

So where do you think you inherited the talent from?
My brother had a bit of a dabble in football. From what I heard, he was a good player but he’s quite a bit older than me. He didn’t have that chance as there weren't as many scouts back then as there are now. He just didn’t get the big break he needed.

You’ve been around the United set-up for a long time – when did you actually join?
I would have been aged six and then playing at the satellite centres. I came through from there, before going over to Littleton Road and then The Cliff. I came here to Carrington when it was Under-12s level.

When you scored at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup quarters against Charlton in 2012, you were still just a schoolboy. How incredible an experience was that?
I can remember being in the changing rooms afterwards and I was in the shower. It was boiling hot and everyone was touching the water and asking how I could bear to stand in it. It must have been because of the adrenaline. It was just a great feeling, particularly with it being the winner as well.

We ended up losing to Chelsea in the semi-finals of the competition…
We went to an Ajax tournament, it was the first time we’d done it, and I got an injury to my foot. It was just a little bruising but it put me out of the second leg. I came on but they were not sure I was fit enough to start the game and it was a bit of a blow. Chelsea have always had a good youth set-up as they’ve proved again this season.

Tell us about captaining both the Under-18 side and under-19 UEFA Youth League team this term…
I started off with the Under-18s and in the European league as well. When I was told I’d be captain before the first game, I thought it was a great honour. I hadn’t done it much before and I am quite inexperienced at it. Being given that responsibility meant I was able to give advice and encouragement on the pitch. It made me work harder, essentially, because, when you have got the armband on, you have that extra responsibility to shine.

Your speed makes you an obvious target for defenders. How do you handle any rough treatment?
I think, with the pace I’ve got, they must have some insight into my game beforehand, so I’ve just got to overcome that. If I get a knock, I must get back up and go again. You have had your share of injuries this season.

Are you still growing?
I think I’ve finished growing and 5ft 11in is going to be my height now. Hopefully, there will be no more injuries. I fractured my ankle a few years ago at Southampton and that was a bad one. It was weird as I’d never been out for that amount of time. It was hard because I was in the gym every day and not out on the pitch with the lads. So, I just knuckled down and got back fit as soon as possible.

How big a thrill was it to be on the first-team bench at Newcastle?
It was great experience being with the team and learning how to act around the hotel by being professional. Even the warm-up was different – I was out there with Nemanja Vidic and Tom Cleverley. When you’re warming up for the Reserves, there are not usually thousands of people around. It was a great atmosphere – even when you’re out there beforehand the ground is filling up and you can feel the volume rising.

Were you aware that your inclusion had sparked a real buzz on social media?
It was a bit weird. All my mates were texting me. I was in the squad for the Aston Villa game and also the Bayern Munich match at Old Trafford, but didn’t get on the bench. Obviously, I was a substitute at Newcastle because of injuries and Danny Welbeck being rested.

After getting so close, how much are you relishing making your debut at some future point?
Hopefully, it’s not too far off. It would be great and it’s what you work towards. Every time, I just think, ‘I could be in that first team.’ It would be great to get a few minutes on the pitch and a real experience to see how different the games are, and the pace of it. I need to see how I deal with the atmosphere, the pressure and other factors.

Would you still set yourself a target of scoring in that game?
Yes, I probably would! Even in training, if you miss a chance, it matters. It is a lot more demanding with the first team, obviously.

Do you think you can be an inspiration to the younger players who are also hoping to make the breakthrough?
Yes, I think a few of the younger lads in my digs are asking things and, obviously, as a boy, I used to look up to lads when I was their age. The roles are reversed now and I know what it is like to be in that situation.

Your aim must be to get into the squad for this summer’s pre-season tour. Will any international commitments affect that?
I don’t think so. The England Under-19s’ next qualifying round is in May, so it won’t affect it. Hopefully, all being well, I’ll have no injuries and will get on that plane to America. It would be absolutely brilliant. I’ve been to the States before, in the Dallas Cup last year, and that was a great place to go.

How would you assess your season?
I’m definitely pleased. I’ve got through the three age groups and, as a striker, I want to score goals. I’ve done that at each level, but the most important thing is to keep improving – as long as that keeps happening. To get to where I am now, I have obviously improved.