Man Utd winger James reveals he almost quit football

Manchester United winger Daniel James has revealed he almost quit football when he was younger.

The 21-year-old has been a revelation at Old Trafford since signing from Swansea City this summer, having scored three goals from five games.

But things could've turned out differently for the Wales international, who almost chose spending time with friends over pursuing a professional career with Hull City.

James told Inside United magazine: "At the start, when I got to nearly 12 years old, I actually nearly gave up football. I wasn't enjoying it.

"I was telling my mum and dad: 'I'd rather be playing other football'. Or I was missing out with my mates. I was training most nights and was missing out. I was coming back from school and wanting to go out with my mates, but I had to go training.

"I had a serious meeting with the coaches at Hull [for them] to say: 'No, we think you've got the ability and we want you to stay on here'.

"Obviously, I did enjoy my football - it was just that I was missing out with friends. But they are the sacrifices that sometimes you have to make as a footballer, to make it. I know nowadays there's a lot more."

He added: "Thankfully, from there, I did stay on. But there were times when I wasn't enjoying it, but I think as a person I developed a lot, especially when I went to play my first game for Wales when I was 14.

"The first games were against Belgium and Switzerland, and that changed me as well because I used to play striker at Hull, and when I went away with Wales, I played as a winger.

"I think that's why I've come to be a winger now. Otherwise, I think I'd play in a different position."