The former Manchester United winger revealed where he went wrong at Old Trafford after sealing a summer move to Leeds.
Daniel James has admitted he played it ‘a little safe’ towards the end of his Manchester United career.
As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing as permanent manager in 2019, James had a bright start at Old Trafford. He scored three goals in his first four Premier League games. His form, however, tailed off midway into his debut campaign and he eventually lost favor.
Upon Cristiano Ronaldo’s return, the Wales international sealed a deadline day €29.1 million transfer to Leeds.
“I think everyone goes through part of their career where you don’t realize something is happening until you look back and have good people around you to analyze that,” James told The Telegraph.
“I started thinking, ‘What does he do that I can do?’ rather than thinking just about my game and being myself. It got to the point where I was being a bit safe in games.
“I got bought for my direct play, running in behind, running with the ball, trying things and not being afraid to lose the ball, but slowly I started to come away from that and play a little safe.
“When I stepped back, it was remembering to be direct, to be that person. Safe is dangerous in the position I play. You’re not there to do that – you’re there to score goals and make assists and run yourself into the ground on and off the ball.”
James hopes to make his Leeds debut this Sunday at Elland Road in a Premier League match against Liverpool.
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