Manchester United have been reminded of Daniel James’ best position

It was a memorable night time for Daniel James on Tuesday as he scored the primary headed objective of his skilled profession for Wales.

The strike proved to be the winner for his nation and helped them choose up the primary factors of their World Cup 2022 qualification marketing campaign.

After the sport, James admitted that he couldn’t recall scoring many headers earlier than however did acknowledge he’s been getting himself into good areas to get on the top of crosses with United.

He mentioned: “I don’t bear in mind one other header I’ve scored. I’ve had fairly a couple of within the final month at membership degree that I’ve been disenchanted with, actually. I used to be due a header. It’s about getting in the appropriate positions.

“In latest occasions, perhaps I’ve been caught out on the wing and never obtained within the field sufficient. I’ve thought, ‘Ah, I might have gone there’. I must get my timing proper.”

There have been no points with the 23-year-old’s timing on Wednesday, and his objective capped off what was a powerful all-round show.

Moreover, though he alluded to his personal frustrations at not entering into the field to get on the top of extra goalscoring alternatives, it’s value noting that his function within the United facet has usually hindered him on this regard.

For the Reds, most of his minutes have been collected on the appropriate wing. It’s comprehensible why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes use of him right here given he’s right-footed and the United boss doesn’t have a standout right-sided attacker inside his squad.

Nonetheless, as a right-footed attacker taking part in on that facet of the pitch, his attacking contributions will usually be extra centred round strikes in direction of the byline earlier than seeking to cross or lower the ball again into the penalty space.

This may be helpful when the Reds have the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial or Edinson Cavani ready within the center. But, it could possibly limit James’ personal potential to have higher attacking affect in areas extra central and nearer to the objective.

For Wales although, the previous Swansea man will play predominantly on the left, like he did for many of the fixture on Wednesday. This implies he tends to naturally lower in or drive into extra harmful areas frequently.

The above graphic is an efficient instance. If James picks the ball up right here however on the appropriate facet of the pitch, he’d possible drive in a straight line in direction of the byline as a way to try to work himself right into a crossing place.

Nonetheless, on the left, he can drive right into a extra threatening central space just like the one highlighted with the inexperienced arrow. When in these positions, he can both flip supplier for teammates with a threaded move into the field, or he’s higher set as much as tackle a shot of his personal along with his favoured proper foot.

Notably throughout his final 11 appearances for Wales taking part in on the left, James has averaged extra photographs at 1.65 per 90 in comparison with the 1.37 he has averaged taking part in on the appropriate for United this season. He’s additionally averaged extra shot assists throughout that point along with his nationwide facet too at 1.15 vs 0.57.

What this highlights then is that James does appear to be a higher attacking affect when taking part in on the left, in comparison with the appropriate.

And provided that he’s but to actually make his mark on Solskjaer’s facet, maybe bestowing him extra minutes on that facet – particularly if Marcus Rashford is injured after pulling out of the England squad – may be the important thing to him having higher affect on United’s assault sooner or later.