Football News

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fears Man Utd signing Dan James is getting an unfair reputation

By Mohamed Moallim

Published: 19:54, 25 August 2019

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fears Daniel James will be hampered by a reputation for diving following successive yellow cards.

The 21-year-old Welsh forward was booked for simulation in both Manchester United’s 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace and the previous 1-1 draw with Wolves.

How has James fared since joining Man Utd? Five things to know…

  • James joined Man Utd from Swansea City in a deal reportedly worth £15m.
  • He made his United debut as a 74th-minute substitute against Chelsea.
  • Seven minutes after coming on he scored his first goal for the Red Devils.
  • However, since then he has been booked twice for diving, as well as scoring a second United goal.
  • Solskjaer is worried about him getting an unfair reputation and describes James as an “honest” professional.

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These episodes has overshadowed a positive start to his Old Trafford career, in which James has scored twice across United’s opening three Premier League fixtures.

James bagged his first in their 4-0 win over Chelsea, before scoring the equaliser in the Palace defeat, but it was his supposed transgression Solskjaer was focused on post-match as on replay James was hard done by.

“I am 100 per cent sure there was contact between Dan James and their player,” he told reporters.

“Now he’s got two yellow cards, when there was contact with him and it’s twice when I have to say it’s been very unfair and unlucky. Both yellow cards should not have stood.”

James’ frame and pace make him more susceptible to going to ground under light contact, according to Solskjaer, who added: “Do I think he will get a reputation? Yes, I do. That’s why I raise it here. He is not that type of player. He keeps running that quickly and, if you look at the video, there was contact, both today and in the Wolves game.

”He is such an honest boy. He gets up, runs and takes people on. Sometimes, he gets kicked and sometimes, with that pace, a little touch or nudge will be enough for him to fall.”

United have four points out of possible nine during the 2019/20 Premier League season so far and next play Southampton away, a fixture they drew 2-2 in the previous campaign.