Daniel James: We are NEVER underdogs

January 19, 2020
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from Wales Online
James says his Manchester United teammates 'don't go anywhere feeling like we are going to lose' despite trailing Liverpool by 27 points in Premier League
 
It didn't take Daniel James long to realise there is no such thing as an inferiority complex at Manchester United .
 
That's why the Wales star refuses to accept that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men travel to bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday as rank outsiders – despite trailing the runaway leaders by 27 points having played a game more.
 
Bookies are offering generous odds of 8/1 on United becoming the first team to beat Jurgen Klopp's European champions in the Premier League this season.
 
But James, who joined United in a £15million deal from Swansea in the summer after a deadline-day move to Leeds last January collapsed, said: "I don't think we go into any game as ­underdogs.
 
"We are Man United – and we don't go anywhere feeling like we are going to lose.
 
"It is going to be a tough game, but we go into it feeling very positive.
 
"We are the only team to have taken points off Liverpool this season, so will go there full of high hopes. It has always been like that. Since day one here, you ­realise that we don't go into any game as the underdogs.
 
"Everybody is going to be ready for Liverpool. Whoever is picked will be ready to step up.
 
"It will be a case of doing exactly what we did against them last time.
 
"Everyone performed really well, worked hard, and in the end we were unlucky to only get a draw when they scored in the last five minutes.
 
"Like I say, we know how hard this game will be, but I am really looking forward to playing in it. I've never played at Anfield before – but we go there with no fear."
 
James, 22, was seen as one for the future when United succeeded where Leeds failed.
 
The drama of his failed move to Elland Road was captured in the Amazon documentary ‘Take Us Home', with the two clubs unable to agree a fee as the clock ticked down.
 
Yet James remained a study of calmness – and he has taken everything in his stride since arriving at Old Trafford.
 
The winger has played 31 games for United this ­season – and ­defenders have not been slow in putting the boot in.
 
But he said: "I wouldn't say I am surprised that I've played so many games because that's what the gaffer bought me for.
 
"The gaffer has a lot of trust in me and I take a lot from that.
 
"I've been kicked a lot, but I just get back up because I think that if you stay down then they think they've won the battle.
 
"It's all about that no-fear attitude everyone in the team has got – and that this club has always had.
 
"The reality is that if you don't think like that, then you don't play for this club."
 
James has welcomed the ­advice he's been getting from United legend Ryan Giggs as he has settled into life at Old Trafford.
 
And he bristles at the suggestion he was a boyhood Liverpool fan when he was growing up in ­Kingston-upon-Hull.
 
James said: "It definitely isn't true that I supported Liverpool. It's been a crazy 12 months and every day I think of what I was doing a year ago.
 
"I exchange texts messages with Ryan Giggs quite a lot because he was a legend here and someone I look up to as a big inspiration.
 
"Obviously, with him being my manager for Wales, he helps me a lot.
 
"The main message from him when I came here was for me to just be myself – and that's exactly what I have been."
  • Related keywords: Daniel James, Ryan Giggs, Manchester United, Liverpool