Five days ago, Manchester United confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window, Swansea City winger Daniel James. The 21-year-old speedy (or you could say pacey) youngster who impressed in the Championship division last year signed a five-year deal reportedly worth £15 million ($19m), after having underwent and passing his Manchester United medical the previous day.
Today brought his official unveiling, first interview with the club, industry standard holding a pen over the contract photo-opp, first photos in the new shirt, all that good stuff. You know, the “product rollout,” and given how much power and how corporate Ed Woodward is- you know he would love a good business industry analogy.
James could be the beginning of a change in United transfer policy, or at least the beginning of something that actually resembles a coherent strategy in the transfer market and the move towards building a real roster identity.
If United can land Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace, then it will become clear that Old Trafford is trying to scoop up the top young talent outside of the Premier League rather than buy the big names simply because they can.
That is certainly the way they should be going at this point- rebuilding with youth and potential, trying to forge a more cohesive team where all the pieces can better fit.
United must get away from just throwing money at the most established names available in the market, but because clearly, it hasn’t worked.
I’m very proud to join the biggest football club in the world. This is a new and exciting chapter in my life and I can’t wait to get started. Thank you to everyone who has shown faith in me. Hard work starts now! ??? @ManUtd #MUFC pic.twitter.com/SRHdNpvLLI
— Daniel James (@Daniel_James_97) June 12, 2019
Reads a statement from United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer:
“Daniel is an exciting young winger with lots of skills, vision, exceptional pace and a good work ethic. He had a great season with Swansea City and has all the attributes needed to become a Manchester United player.
“We are delighted he has signed with our club and we are all looking forward to working with him. This is the perfect environment for Daniel to continue his development.”
Now seems like a good time to learn more about @Daniel_James_97 ???????
Here's his player profile ?
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 12, 2019
Also, here is the link to the first Daniel James interview as a member of United.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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