Red Matchday Six | Preview

In this week’s red matchday magazine:

The interview with the first team player this week in James Wilson:

“I was a Manchester United fan growing up, so it was a bit of a surprise when my dad came home and asked if I wanted to go and training with them! With it being such a global club and one of the biggest sporting organisations in the world, you are always under the spotlight, no matter what you are doing – whether that be putting something on social media or walking around the Trafford Centre on a day off. You do get recognised quite a lot. To some people it is a bit of a chore but for me it is part of the job. You just have to deal with it and focus on your football.

“The standard in training every day was obviously extremely high but the competition for places was the same as it is everywhere. There are always players going for people’s shirts. Everyone wants to start games and there can only be 11 players on the field.

“That’s what I was trying to do at United, trying my best to give the manager a problem. The fact I started some games ahead of some very big name players, I must have been doing something right.

“Scoring two goals on my debut is something I will always remember. I don’t remember much about the game but I do remember the goals. Apart from scoring a hat-trick it could not have gone much better!

“The amount of things I learnt from Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney in particular is a big testament to them as professionals. They were very good at helping the younger players. Hopefully going forward, I can pass on some of the advice I got to the younger players here in the coming years.

“There is pressure with it being such a big club and huge expectations for you to be a good player and not just that, to be a good person in general. I have tried to live up to that, even as an ex-player, as much as possible.”

The Development Don featured is Jack Sam Jackson

“They’re great keepers, in training and in games. They’re great guys in person as well. They’ve helped me a lot. From when I first came in, they’ve helped me to get involved with the first team, which you don’t get much at other clubs I’ve found. But here, everyone from U18s through to first team and staff as well, they are all together.

“Joe and Tomas watched a couple of my games as well and said if I have a higher starting position, I can come out for more. They’ve already helped me get better in games, which has led to getting better in general.

“I’ve been in the first squad the last three weeks, which has been really good and boosted my confidence. It’s obviously good having me some good advice and being around the squad. The boys have welcomed me really well.”

Plus: The Manager, Joe Lewis, Connor McLennan and a Q&A with Greg Leigh, and our comprehensive history and stats sections.