Solskjaer Has Message For Wilson

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a simple piece of advice for James Wilson – model your game on Robin van Persie's.

The Norwegian won the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful with his unerring finishing ability and was aware of Wilson's potential even when he was Reserves coach under Sir Alex Ferguson, before leaving to cut his managerial teeth with Molde and Cardiff City.

Wilson, who only recently turned 19, was handed another start in Sunday's big match against Liverpool and is clearly highly regarded by manager Louis van Gaal. The fleet-footed forward, who scored twice on his debut against Hull City last term, has the potential to become as firm a favourite as Solskjaer in the years to come.

"I never trained James Wilson during my time as Reserves manager at United," Solskjaer told United Review. "But I was well aware of him.

"I got to work with the gang from 1993, with Ryan Tunnicliffe, Paul Pogba and so on, but James was among the 1995 boys. I watched him regularly playing in the Under-18s and Under-16s and we all knew he was going to have a chance.

"There's definitely something there. He's got pace, he can finish and, when his body fills out, he'll improve even more.

"As a young striker, he can't have a better mentor than Robin van Persie – my message would be to just copy your game from his, it's that simple!"