James Wilson leaves Manchester United: Brighton and Hove Albion sign striker on loan after Old Trafford stuggles
Wilson has joine the Championship title challengers until the end of the season after being given just 54 minutes of first-team football this season
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United have lost another attacking option after allowing striker James Wilson join Championship contenders Brighton and Hove Albion until the end of the season.
19-year-old Wilson has been given just eight minutes of Premier League action this season, and has played a grand total of 54 minutes in all competitions, despite United’s injury concerns in attack.
Last weekend United manager Louis van Gaal was unable to call on Wayne Rooney or Anthony Martial, but while he admitted before the match against Watford that Wilson would not last 90 minutes if included having just returned from an injury, but Van Gaal elected to leave him out completely and start Memphis Depay with 18-year-old Marcus Rashford on the bench.
Having played the final eight minutes of United’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal and the first-half of the Capital One Cup loss to Middlesbrough, Wilson has been sent out on loan with Van Gaal clearly unimpressed with his performances this season.
The Ducthman gave Wilson 17 appearances last season despite having Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao available, but he has been starved of football this term and he has departed amid the interest of 12 Championship clubs.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton expressed his “absolute delight” at signing his prime loan target, and with the Seagulls flying high in second place in the Championship table – trailing leaders Hull on goal difference alone – he could well get the chance to lead a promotion-chasing attack.
“James has been our No.1 target for some time, so we are absolutely delighted to have completed the deal,” Hughton said after sealing the move.
“He’s an exciting young striker and we hope that this move will prove to be very good for all parties involved.”
Wilson will challenge current striker Bobby Zamora, Tomer Hemed and Sam Baldock for a place in the Brighton first team.
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