Wilson On The Art Of Goalscoring

James Wilson may have only made his senior debut a year ago today, but the Manchester United striker is well versed in the art of scoring and knows exactly how to put the ball in the back of the net.

The 19-year-old is, in fact, regarded as one of the most exciting prospects at Old Trafford and looks set to enjoy a bright future under Louis van Gaal.

During a recent interview with Inside United magazine at the Aon Training Complex, Wilson revealed exactly how he became a striker within the Academy and explained his secrets to scoring...

Growing up, did you always play as a striker?
No, I started out as a winger but I think my biggest downfall was probably my fitness. I wasn’t really fit enough to be a winger at one point (laughs)! I think there was a point in the Under-15s or Under-16s when I wasn’t fit enough to be a winger, so they put me up front for a few games and I scored a few goals, so it has all gone on from there. Now, I am probably fit enough to play on the wing, so I have always got that in my locker.

So who can we credit for converting you into a striker?
It was Tommy Martin, or maybe another coach before him, but I think he was the one that told me to go up front. We had a few injuries at the time, when we were younger, and I was the only one there who could play up front. Like I say, I scored a few goals in my first few games and here we are today.

What’s the most important quality needed for scoring a goal?
You can score different goals from different angles and distances. You have just got to be alert for when something drops for you in the box, you have to react quickly in those first few yards to get a shot off, or maybe beat a player and then put it past the keeper, but you have got to be cool when you get your opportunities. You have got to be calm. If you have got something in your mind, don’t change it. Just do what you are planning to do.

So when you are through on goal, how do you decide what to do?
It usually depends on the keeper. If you are quite far away from the box, you can always take it around him. I have got the pace, obviously, to just knock it past him and put it in. It is all based on the keeper. If you have got something in your mind, don’t change it. It is a bit like a penalty, if you are going for one side, then make sure you shoot to that side. If you change your mind, then it can all go pear shaped!

Can you have too much time on the ball in that situation?
You can probably think that you have got too much time on it but, like I say, you just have to relax and stay calm. Obviously don’t milk it and take too much time on the ball because the defender or the keeper will get to you! You just have to relax and take your chance.

In terms of finishing, what is your favourite type of goal to score?
The most I would say that I have scored in the past few years is going round the keeper. It is an easy goal if you go around the keeper in the right way because it is an open net. But there is nothing wrong with a 30-yard screamer into the top corner! As long as it goes in, I’m happy.

Finally, a lot of fans dream of scoring a goal for United. Having done it yourself, could you explain just how it feels?
It is an amazing feeling, especially the second goal that I scored against Hull in front of the Stretford End. It was unbelievable, the sound. I could just hear the fans chanting my name and it just gives you goosebumps – in fact I am getting goosebumps now just talking about it. It’s an amazing feeling.