Reece James on his loan deal
New arrival Reece James spoke this afternoon about looking forward to the challenge of League One football as he teamed up with the United squad for their first training session of the week.
“It’s been good to get up here to see the stadium and train with the lads today,” he said. “Everything is a lot better than what I expected, if I’m being honest, and I’m looking forward to getting on with the job.”
“I was nervous as well as excited this morning,” he admitted. “A big part of the reason for coming here is to try to get into the team, but there’s only me who can make that happen.
“I think this is a different kind of challenge to any I’ve had before. I was really nervous when I first went to Old Trafford but this feels more exciting than anything else. The real challenge for me now is to get experience in the league.
“Having six months here should help with that. It gives me time to settle in properly and to show people what I can do.”
“I only found out about the move last Tuesday so it’s been a fairly quick process,” he continued.
“The manager [Greg Abbott] has spoken to me about what he wants and he’s told me to play the way I like to play and to enjoy myself. He wants me to be positive and to think about how I’ll play against different types of opponent. There’s plenty for me to learn and to look forward to.”
And with his first Carlisle United training session under his belt, he said: “It was similar to what we do in Manchester.
“Warren [Joyce] did say that Greg likes to do things the same way as we do them down there so it was interesting to find out that was actually true.
“I knew some of the lads who have been here before – James Chester, Joe Dudgeon, Ollie Norwood – and they all got positive moves off the back of what they had done with their loan spells. Hopefully this will give me a boost in terms of getting first team appearances and we can see how things go.”
“I think we all know that Carlisle is a club which gives young players a chance,” he told us. “I’ve come here to get experience so I just hope to get as many games as I can.
“I want to do as well as I can for this club and for myself, so that’s where my focus will be.”
As to what type of player we can expect, he told us: “I like to think I’m attack minded, I like to use a different range of passing and I like to win games.
“I think playing at League One level will help me physically and the fact that I’ll be playing for three points, when it really matters, is a massive step to take. It’s a change to the mentality of it all and I’m really looking forward to that.
“I think this is the next step in my career. I do feel this is a club which will help me and I’m delighted that I’m here.”
“It’s obviously amazing to be involved with a club like Manchester United and just seeing and speaking to players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney has helped me a lot,” he revealed. “Ryan Giggs always helps with bits of advice when you train with him, and he’ll put his arm round you and tell you where you can improve, so that’s good for all of us. I’m ready for the next step now.
“I think the main thing I want from this is experience. I want as many games as I can so I can do well for the club and for myself.”
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