Manchester United: James Wilson joins Brighton on loan until end of the season

Manchester United striker James Wilson has joined Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old has played just 54 minutes of first-team football this season amid a string of injury problems.

He was fit to return to the bench for the 2-1 win against Watford on 21 November but manager Louis van Gaal warned the striker's lack of "match rhythm" meant he was unlikely to feature. United confirmed the move via their official Twitter account and Wilson's departure leaves United with just two recognised strikers in their squad, in Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney.

Wilson will be available to make his debut for the Seagulls against Birmingham City at the Amex on 28 November. Brighton boss Chris Hughton told the club's official website there were a number of clubs interested in signing the player, praising the club for getting the deal done. He said: "We have been keen to add a striker, and James has been our number one target for some time, so we are absolutely delighted to have completed the deal.

"James is an exciting young striker, and we hope that this move will prove to be very good for all parties involved. He is very highly thought of at Old Trafford and he has been in and around the first-team picture at Manchester United since Ryan Giggs gave him his debut the season before last.

"There was a huge amount of competition from rival clubs to sign James on loan and it has been another great team effort to secure his signature. I now hope he will help us maintain our excellent start to the season, and bring additional goals to the squad."

Wilson, who marked his first-team debut with two goals towards the end of the 2013-14 season, signed a new four-year deal at Old Trafford in September.