Why a Loan to Bournemouth Would Be Perfect for Manchester United's James Wilson

Eddie Howe’s exciting Bournemouth side will be in the Premier League next season, and their possession-oriented attacking football would make them an ideal loan destination for Manchester United’s James Wilson.

Wilson’s involvement in the first team has been sporadic during Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge. A high-profile start against Liverpool at Old Trafford and a decent number of cameo appearances have shown a degree of faith but have not provided the promising youngster with the amount of first-team football his development requires.

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There is, of course, a chance that will change next season. After all, United’s senior forwards have hardly set the scoring charts alight this season. It is conceivable that Van Gaal will look to Wilson more often in 2015/16.

If he does not, though, a loan move could suit all parties. Wilson’s scoring record at youth level is too good for United to sell him outright. A move outside the Premier League would be a regressive step for a player who certainly did not look out of his depth in the top flight.

Bournemouth have scored plenty of goals in the Championship. The goals were well spread among their forwards, with four players scoring above 10 goals and a further two hitting nine. However, none of those players are proven Premier League performers.

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Callum Wilson is their leading scorer, with 20 goals, and, at 23 years of age, deserves his shot at the top flight. Matt Ritchie’s 15 goals have mostly come from the right of midfield—as have his 17 assists. Yann Kermorgant has split his duties between striker and attacking midfielder.

Brett Pitman, the squad’s other out-and-out striker, has spent a career further down the table. At 27, It will be a big step up for him.

How Bournemouth’s existing strikers adapt, and which players Howe can bring in, will be key to the Cherries’ success next season. James Wilson does not quite count as established Premier League talent, but he has shown he can be effective at that level.

As well as the potential for them to offer him playing time, Bournemouth’s playing style could be attractive to Wilson. Although Howe has mostly set them up in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 this season, which is different to the way United play, he has used a possession-based approach to win them the Championship.

They have averaged 58 per cent possession across the season—a number that, remarkably, does not change in their home or away fixtures. Although their long-ball average is higher than might be expected for that level of possession, it is still just 14 per cent of their play—hardly 1980s Wimbledon.

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There are plenty of other options to consider for Wilson. The other definitely promoted side, Watford, could be a good fit, although their existing relationships with other clubs may well mean they look elsewhere for loan options.

Established Premier League sides may also be an option. Swansea City are guaranteed a top-half finish, but have not replaced Wilfried Bony’s goalscoring. Garry Monk’s style would be a good match in terms of learning to thrive within a possession-based system.

The teams who manage to avoid relegation this season will be looking to strengthen, and if Tim Sherwood is unable to hold on to Christian Benteke, then Aston Villa could be a good move. It has certainly worked out well for Tom Cleverley. 

Both Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck benefited from loan spells at Sunderland. Assuming they stay up and Dick Advocaat remains in charge, Van Gaal may look on his old adversary as a suitable mentor for Wilson. 

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However, given the relatively low-pressure environment he will face at Bournemouth, Howe's style and the chance of regular football, the south coast would make an excellent destination for Wilson.