James targets more goals after scoring at LASK

Livewire forward Daniel James is determined to score more goals before the end of the season, after netting his first since August in Manchester United’s 5-0 win over LASK in the Europa League.

The young Wales international made a blistering start to his Reds career by netting three times in his first four appearances, yet he had not bagged since then – or at least until Thursday night in Austria.

James, whose performances have earned praise in recent weeks, latched onto a pass from Odion Ighalo, drove at his marker and dispatched a low shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lauded his attitude following the final whistle, and while speaking to us, Daniel quickly thanked the boss and his coaching staff for trusting in him throughout his debut campaign.

“It is nice to score,” said Daniel. “Maybe I haven't scored as many goals as I wanted to recently. I got off to a good start but recently it has not been at the standards that I have wanted to be. Thanks to all of the coaches, the manager for trusting in me, working with me every day. I had that chance in the first half and I was a bit gutted about it, but it was just about going out there and if I got the chance, they said to drive and have shots. That's what I did and thankfully it went in.”

James has added another dimension to United’s attack this season, with his hard-working performances and direct dribbling helping him to become an instant hit among Reds supporters. While Daniel is keen to explain his game is about more than goals, he is relieved to score again.

“Yeah I think it is,” he told us. “You have just got to go head on because you never know. There are games coming thick and fast. You can score in every game, you can improve and look back on what you can do more. As a player I give a lot more than goals, I try to create them and work hard for the team, but today was about getting off the mark and now I can capitalise to get more now.”

As for the experience of playing LASK in a behind-closed-doors environment, James admits it took him back to his youth-team days and paid tribute to United’s professionalism under the circumstances.

“I think it takes you back to your younger days when you played in front of nobody,” the former Swansea City man said. “But, all of the boys had to be professional out there, it was a very important game, we had to treat it as any other game and, even though the fans aren't here, we know they are watching at home. It was about whether we could go there, press and do what we have to do. We scored some great goals and keeping that clean sheet is very important.”

Attention now turns to Sunday’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur and James is eager to feature again, as the Reds hope to extend an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

“That is what we boys love, big games,” says James. “We had a big game tonight and we've got that one on Sunday as well which is massive, back in the Premier League and we hope we can climb that table.”