Manchester United starlet James Wilson says working with the best is making him better

Manchester United starlet James Wilson has claimed learning from Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, as well the big confidence given by Louis van Gaal and Ryan Giggs, is helping him become established as a first-team player at Old Trafford.

Following the arrival of the Colombian international on deadline day last summer and after suffering an injury earlier in the campaign – missing the first six Premier League games - the 19-year-old striker looked to have a complicated future at Old Trafford.

However Van Gaal has handed him many opportunities throughout the season, and the striker has responded with impressive performances.

Having scored his first Premier League goal of the campaign at QPR coming off the bench, the striker scored his second goal during the FA Cup replay against Cambridge on Tuesday night (3 February) after replacing van Persie late in the second half.

The striker believes that, far from hampering his breakthrough into the first-team, the big competition from Rooney, Van Persie, and Falcao is helping him to keep improving.

"I have learned a lot from all three of them, probably different things from each of them. Coming into work and training with them every day is unbelievable for me because I have got a lot to learn in the game," Wilson said to Manchester United's official website.

"This is my first season in the first team so I have just got to train with them as much as I can, keep fit and keep learning. I've had a few 'pinch-me' moments though."

The teenager also praised his manager for the big trust he has shown in the academy stars since his arrival to Old Trafford.

"[Van Gaal] is a top manager. In training, he always wants 100% out of everybody and he is very encouraging. If you need help from him, you can just go up to him and ask. He is not one of those people who are distant, he will take the time out to talk to you and that is good for me."

Wilson also points out the importance of Ryan Giggs, who, as interim manager, handed Wilson his debut back in May, and saw the prodigy notch a sensational brace against Hull.

"It is brilliant for me because of the experience he has got from the game," added the England Under-20 international.

"I have spoken to him a few times now when I needed advice. He is very easy to approach and he is great to speak to when you need someone to chat to. He is always free and you can call on him whenever you need him."