Wales boss Ryan Giggs has confirmed he played a part in Daniel James’ move to Manchester United by recommending the winger to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 22-year-old joined United from Swansea in a £15million deal last summer and the move caught many by surprise, given James was set to join Championship club Leeds United just six months earlier.
Reports following James’ move claimed Giggs had directly approached Solskjaer with the recommendation of signing James, who he first called up to the Wales squad in November 2018.
However, while Giggs has clarified that United were already aware of James’ potential and actually approached him about the winger, the Welshman has admitted he recommended to Solskjaer that he should sign the former Swansea ace.
‘Ole asked me about him,’ Giggs told the Webby & O’Neill channel.
‘Ole was the one that came to me, it wasn’t the other way [around].
‘It was last season. He nearly went to Leeds before that so Ole knew about him and the club had been watching him.
‘It was a no-brainer. He’s like that [on an upward trajectory] in his career. As a lad he’s a great lad as well, he wants to get better and he’s someone that wants to learn. He’s someone I thought would be suited to this place.’
James started the season in blistering form by scoring three goals in his first four appearances.
However, despite continuing to impress in the opening months of the season, James hit a rough patch in the New Year and he ended a 30-match run without a goal by netting in United’s 5-0 win against LASK in March.
Giggs says it’s no surprise that James experienced more difficult moments and says the winger is keen to improve following his rapid rise.
‘He came in and scored on his home debut against Chelsea and did really well but it’s not easy when defences and everyone is behind the ball,’ said Giggs.
‘Then what happens is you try too hard and you don’t have your natural game. He is still young because he’s only really had one season at Swansea. He’d been on loan moves to Shrewsbury. He is definitely a player that will get better because he wants to get better, he’s a great lad.
‘Even if he’s not having a really great game he’s always putting the opposition on the back foot because they know what he’s capable of [with his speed].’
MORE : Jurgen Klopp snaps at reporter in awkward interview after Manchester City thrash Liverpool
