Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits back at Daniel James question after Newcastle win

Manchester winger Daniel James was key in the Red Devils' win over Newcastle United.

Posted Monday, February 22, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed the work ethic of Daniel James to rediscover his spot in the starting XI. James scored the second goal in United's 3-1 Premier League win over Newcastle United on Sunday. It was just the Wales star's sixth league start of the campaign.

James burst onto the scene at United following his arrival from Swansea in the summer of 2019.

However, after scoring three league goals in his first four appearances for the club, he failed to score for the remainder of the campaign and fell out of favour under Solskjaer.

James took his goal well on Sunday to put the Red Devils back into the lead against Steve Bruce's struggling Magpies.

After the match BT Sport reporter Des Kelly asked why James had "disappeared" following his bright start at the club.

Man Utd news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watched his United side beat Newcastle at Old Trafford

But Solskjaer hit back, responding: "He never disappeared. He has been working hard behind the scenes and always been available.

"He is always a player you can use in different areas with his energy and pace.

"We work with him, we try to help everyone but of course Dan came from the Championship, he hit a few goals in the first games and it is bound to take some energy from you.

"He has knuckled down and really worked to get back to full fitness but maybe more so confidence, to believe in himself."

James admits he had "lost his way" but is delighted to be back in the United side.

"People say I haven't played so much recently but I am just working as hard as I can when I do play," James told BT Sport.

"It is a turnaround [for me]. There was a moment last season when I maybe was not performing as well as I wanted to do.

"I have just been working in the training ground as hard as I can. I kind of lost my way a bit.

"I have been working with the coaches to get me back to myself and I'd like to think I've got there now."

James' second-half goal and Bruno Fernandes' penalty helped United see out a 3-1 win.

Solskjaer admitted the second half was a much better showing from his side.

"We had to up the tempo a little bit, especially in the last third and I felt we managed to do that," the Norwegian said.

"It is always difficult to get going after an away game in Europe.

"Even though we dominated possession and had a lot of the ball we couldn't create many opportunities. I felt in the second half we found our positions better."