James: We want to redeem ourselves

Daniel James was on the scoresheet for Manchester United at Old Trafford again on Saturday but this time the outcome was different, as his side suffered a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

The Wales international, who marked his debut with a goal in the 4-0 home win over Chelsea, equalised against the Eagles and believes that the Reds deserved to get more from the game given an improved second-half performance.

“After we scored, there were three or four minutes to go, the crowd were behind us and we were in control to go and get another,” James told MUTV after the final whistle. “Unfortunately, they’ve hit us on the break and scored.”

The no.21 looked to have earned the Reds at least a point when his fine finish found the top right-hand corner of the Stretford End net in the 89th minute. However, the United fans’ joy was sadly shortlived, with Patrick van Aanholt sealing the win for the Eagles deep into stoppage time, following Jordan Ayew’s first-half opener.

James was pleased to have added another goal to his tally but he was naturally dismayed at the defeat, United’s first this season.

“Obviously, I’m delighted to get the goal and that’s something I want to keep improving on and keep doing,” he told MUTV.

“But, at the end of the day, it’s a team game and we didn’t win the game today so obviously I’m disappointed.”

The Reds had already gone close to levelling the score before James’s late strike, with Marcus Rashford’s penalty rattling the woodwork in further spot-kick agony for United after Paul Pogba's attempt against Wolves was saved. However, James was full of support for his team-mate and believes the England international was unfortunate not to have found the back of the net.

“It was a great strike, I think he was unlucky,” said the 21-year-old. “But, as you’ve seen in the game, we went on and got the equaliser and we were in control that whole second half. We should’ve come away with more.”

United will be back in action next weekend, when we travel down to the south coast to face a Southampton side who claimed their first points of the season by winning 2-0 at Brighton.

James admits that it will feel like a long week for the United players, but that the team will be already looking ahead to the Saturday lunchtime fixture.

“We want to redeem ourselves. This game is something that we’ll look back on and look at what we could’ve done better.

“The Southampton game next week will be a completely different test and we’ve got to be ready for it.”