We all remember James Wilson’s incredible Manchester United debut. The problem is four years later he hasn’t been able to build on it.
Wilson has been unlucky with changes in management, and some underwhelming loan spells. A torn ACL suffered on loan at Derby was particularly cruel.
Even Wilson’s most recent loan at Aberdeen began with injury, with Wilson missing his first three games.
Now after finally making his first start this weekend and scoring the winning goal he has given his career a shot in the arm.
New start
Wilson is no longer a talented teenage prospect. He is 22-years-old and to some extent he has been living off his superb United debut against Hull under Ryan Giggs.
He knows he has to make his loan spell at Aberdeen count.
Even if a breakthrough at United is beyond him, he must do enough to ensure he finds a home elsewhere and can still have a long career as a top footballer.
Wilson knows goals will help, speaking to the Aberdeen Express at the weekend after his winner.
He said: “If I can keep scoring goals the pressure will lift as I go on. I know I have the talent to do that and hopefully it will show in the upcoming weeks and months.”
Whether he will ever play for United’s first team again depends on how he does at Aberdeen. But regardless of if he gets his chance, Red Devils supporters will be glad that for now he is back playing and scoring again.