James Wilson admits he’s ‘come to terms’ with fact he’s likely to leave Manchester United

James Wilson has revealed that he is likely to leave Manchester United this summer.

The striker, a graduate of United’s esteemed academy system, has endured much frustration with injuries, including tearing his anterior cruciate ligament while on loan at Derby County in 2016. 

Wilson, 23, who is currently on loan at Aberdeen, is out of contract at United at the end of the season and admits that it is unlikely that he will get a new deal. 

James Wilson has revealed that he is likely to leave Manchester United this summer

Wilson told ESPN: ‘I think I’ve come to terms with it. I wouldn’t say I’m 100 per cent certain I’m going to leave. There’s still a slight chance I might get a contract but I think I’m edging towards leaving in the summer.

‘I’ll come to terms with it more when it actually happens. I think it might be tougher than perhaps I thought. My focus is one the next step, wherever that might be.’

Wilson made his senior debut for United against Hull in the Premier League in 2014 and scored two goals in a 3-1 victory under the caretaker charge of Ryan Giggs.

Wilson scored a brace for United on his senior debut for the club against Hull in 2014

During the 2015-16 season Wilson spent time on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion

Reflecting on that game, Wilson said: ‘It was a surprise. I’d only been training with the first team for two weeks. I’d had a good season prior to that, scoring for the Under 18s, the U19s in the Champions League and I’d scored for the U23s, so I had made all the steps in one year.

‘I was surprised to get the nod but I stepped up to the plate and did my bit for the team on the night.

‘It was an amazing experience to go through. It was a childhood dream to play for United and score on my debut. Scoring goals is what I love doing and I’m try to do that as much as possible.

‘You get that same feeling every time – every goal that goes in, you get it. Whether it’s in a reserves game for the U23s or in the league, I’m just trying to feel that feeling more.’

Wilson has endured persistent ankle injuries and admits that the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines, in addition to the emergence of Marcus Rashford, has effectively led to the end of his United career.

He said: ‘I wanted to get out of my comfort zone on loan at Brighton [during the 2015-16 season] and while I was there, Rashford came through. I came back and never really got that chance again. Injuries were a big thing. Constant ankle injuries is a big one and my ACL two years ago.

‘Looking back, if anything, it would be that which has held me back but it happens for a reason and I believe that.’

Wilson has had four loan spells away from United, spending time with Brighton, Derby, Sheffield United and Aberdeen.

He is set to leave United having made 20 appearances for the first team, during which he scored four goals.