Skip to content

James Wilson not thinking about Manchester United return after Brighton goal

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

James Wilson hopes his time on loan at Brighton will give him the opportunity to prove his worth to Manchester United

James Wilson is not thinking about a return to Manchester United and is fully focused on helping Brighton secure promotion.

The United loanee marked his full debut with a goal as Albion came from 2-0 down to beat Charlton 3-2 at the Amex Stadium, preserving their unbeaten start to the season.

Meanwhile Wilson's parent club drew a blank in front of goal for the fifth time in their nine games in all competitions, and while the striker believes he can be recalled by Louis van Gaal, he insists he's concentrating on helping Brighton to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Brighton's James Wilson scores their first goal in their comeback win over Charlton
Image: Wilson's strike was a superb individual goal

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wilson was asked if his goal made a point to United, and he said: "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."

Wilson had played just eight minutes of league football this season before van Gaal allowed him to move on loan to Chris Hughton's side, and the forward believes the style of play in the Championship suits him.

James Wilson shakes hands with Louis Van Gaal after signing a five-year contract extension in September
Image: Wilson shakes hands with Louis Van Gaal after signing a five-year contract extension

"The first goal is the hardest, I'm glad to be off the mark," Wilson continued. "It was an amazing feeling to score and to come back from 2-0 down.

Also See:

"It's a different style, you can see that when you watch the games. It's a lot more frantic and end-to-end stuff, which will probably play more into my hands. Hopefully I can get more goals and we can push for promotion."

FL72 Live

Victory over Charlton stretched Brighton's unbeaten start to the season to 19 games, and they sit two points clear of Middlesbrough at the top of the table.

Hughton thinks Wilson could make the difference for his team, and they face a busy fixture list in the weeks ahead, with a trip to third-placed Derby on Saturday before a visit to QPR on Tuesday, a game that will be live on Sky Sports as part of the 10 Football League fixtures in 10 days campaign.

10 days, 10 live FL games
10 days, 10 live FL games

10 in 10: Sky Sports to show 10 Football League games in 10 days in December

"He's a good player, what he needs is regular football and I think that's the reason why Manchester United allowed him to come here," Hughton said. "We certainly needed his goal [against Charlton].

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of Brighton's 3-2 win over Charlton in the Sky Bet Championship

"I think he'll be a wonderful addition for us. The reason why he brought him in is because he's got quality, he's a proven goalscorer."

Around Sky