What Does the Future Hold for James Wilson at Manchester United?

James Wilson has scored two goals in his four starts for Brighton and Hove Albion, making the best of the opportunity he has got since his loan move from Manchester United.

But what of his long-term future? Does that lie with the Red Devils, or elsewhere?

Given how badly Louis van Gaal's side has struggled for goals, it is clear that the Dutchman had little faith in Wilson's ability to make an immediate difference to the first team. After all, he had ample reason to gamble on the 20-year-old but only rarely chose to do so.

Of course, that does not mean Wilson has no long-term future at the club. Firstly, there is the possibility that his loan will help him develop further as a player. Secondly, even if Van Gaal remains at United for the duration of his contract, that will not last long into Wilson's senior career.

Speaking after his first Brighton goal, he was asked by Sky Sports whether his strike had made a point to his parent club.

Wilson replied: 

"

I don't know, I'm here to score goals. I'm here for Brighton.

I'm here for the manager and for the fans, so my full focus is on Brighton. It's one of them, I'm here for the season, I think I can be recalled anyway, but if I'm not needed then I can show my worth at Brighton.

"

A pretty standard response from a loanee, although perhaps it is telling he replied that he did not know, rather than with a more definitive denial of the need to make a point.

Wilson is a player who has attracted plenty of attention and praise as he has risen through United's ranks.

In December 2014, Joe Mewis of the Daily Mirror quoted United youth-team coach Nicky Butt as saying:

"

He's still only 19, but he's one that, if he keeps his head down, could be a superstar in a few years.

He's got a lot of work to do yet, but he could be as good as...anyone who's played for this club in a long, long time.

"

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High praise indeed from a man who has seen plenty of real talent emerging through the ranks. Ryan Giggs, the most decorated graduate of United's youth system, gave Wilson his senior debut during his brief tenure as caretaker manager.

He said of Wilson, per Mewis: “He is a natural goalscorer, but he has got more to his game than that. He can run at people, he has got pace and he is a clever player.“

In the same article, Mewis described Wilson's strengths as:

"

Scoring goals is Wilson's business, and business is good. He can boast of razor-sharp predatory instincts, but he's far more than just a fox in the box.

Wilson is also a handful outside the box and has a CV packed full of long-range stunners that he has wowed regular viewers of United's Under-21 side, whilst also delivering the goods against the continent's finest talents in last season's UEFA Youth League.

Another string to his bow is his devastating pace and searing acceleration, which means he is also extremely effective on the flanks, although his future surely lies in the middle.

"

In May 2014, Yakub Qureshi of the Manchester Evening News wrote of Wilson's United debut: "The 18-year-old’s spectacular opening match has seen him hailed as a new hope for the club—and a triumph for the club’s youth system."

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It is too early in his career to describe Wilson as a triumph. That Van Gaal has never truly integrated the youngster into his plans is either a knock against manager or player, and only history will tell us which it is.

Hopefully his time at Brighton will see him come into his own, and he will return to United ready to add speed and incision to a forward line desperately in need of it.

He is a forward more likely to benefit from a more direct, counter-attacking style than Van Gaal has United playing, so his time to shine at Old Trafford may have to wait until the Dutchman has departed.

In the long term, though, plenty of promise remains for Wilson's Manchester United career.