James Wilson will consider leaving Old Trafford on loan in January – but will he join Sunderland’s long list of former United talents?
Sunderland have benefitted immensely over the years from their good relationship with Manchester United.
Even now, there are four players in The Black Cats’ squad who have previously turned out for the Old Trafford giants – John O’Shea, Donald Love, Paddy McNair and Darren Gibson. And perhaps Sunderland should attempt to add another to their collection in the January transfer window.
Two years before Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene with a debut double against Midtjylland in the Europa League, James Wilson pulled off the same feat in a Premier League clash with Hull City.
The 18-year-old had never been seen in a United shirt previously but could not have made a better first impression in the final home fixture of the 2013/14 season. While Rashford has evolved into an undisputed star for club and country, however, Wilson finds himself back in the sanitised world of academy football.
Time to move on?
Though he’s looking to find an escape route in January. Wilson told the Manchester Evening News that he is considering going out on loan in the New Year. He’s found form again for United’s reserves after recovering from a serious knee injury which ruined a spell at Derby County last season.
“The summer transfer window has gone and there was a lot of interest. But the staff all came to an agreement that I would stay until January to build on what I’ve already worked for,” the 21-year-old Wilson told the MEN.
“So I think (a loan exit) certainly a possibility. We’ll just have to talk and have a few conversations with the manager and certain people around here.”
Its unlikely Wilson will be part of Jose Mourinho’s immediate first-team plans in the second half of the season so leaving Old Trafford on loan will be his best bet of first-team football.
And reuniting with former United youth team stars McNair and Love on Wearside should be on his mind. Sunderland, sitting second from bottom in the Championship, are both crying out for a goalscorer though riddled with debt.
Signing Wilson on loan would be a fine way to solve the problem without spending a penny.
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