Ryan Giggs ‘frustrated’ by Manchester United’s treatment of James Wilson - report

The England U21 forward eventually left United to join Brighton on a season-long loan deal earlier in the week after having failed to force his way into Louis van Gaal’s team.

But Giggs, who has been regarded as a long-standing supporter of Wilson, is reportedly frustrated at the way in which the 19-year-old has been managed at Old Trafford.

The Times’ northern football correspondent James Ducker reported that “Giggs has been left frustrated by the handling of James Wilson’s fortunes over the past 12 months.

“Giggs has been disappointed that the 19-year-old has not been given more opportunities to stake a claim for a regular place after making only five starts under Van Gaal, two of which came in the Premier League," continued Ducker.

“Giggs recognises the benefits of the player going out on loan. However, he had hoped that Wilson would have played more than he has up to this point.”

The reports come with Van Gaal having received sustained criticism from several former United players who have expressed their unhappiness at the way the team are playing under the Dutchman.

Giggs gave Wilson his first-team debut for United in May last year during his brief tenure as interim manager following the sacking of David Moyes, so it is clear that he rates the striker and wants to see him given opportunities. It appears as though someone close to the player has briefed Ducker given the way the article in the Times has been written, and it could be seen to suggest that there are issues between Giggs and Van Gaal in regards to how the players are being managed. Wilson was seen as the next bright young thing after Danny Welbeck departed, seemingly to help pave the way for him to get further opportunities to perform under Van Gaal, but it has never materialised.