Man Utd fans in hysterics as Daniel James is dwarfed by his mascot before Europa League clash with Alkmaar

MANCHESTER UNITED fans were in hysterics when Daniel James was paired with the tallest mascot ahead of their Europa League clash tonight.

The Red Devils are in the Netherlands to take on AZ Alkmaar, with summer-signing James starting in the United attack.

But when the two teams made their way out for kick-off, Twitter went into meltdown with the choice of mascots.

James is not the tallest – standing at just 5ft 7ins – and the kid he walked out with not much shorter, if at all.

One user said: “Daniel James was given the tallest mascot in United’s game against AZ Alkmaar tonight. You can hardly see him.”

Another wrote: “Nice of Dan James to bring his older brother out as a mascot.”

A third added: “Who ever assigned these mascots is a troll – legit gave Daniel James the tallest one.”

Someone even quipped that “James’ teammates definitely paid a 32-year-old to dress up like a mascot just to mess with him”.

@DannyWArmstrong joked: “Dan James is so nice, he doesn’t even complain when UEFA take the piss and give him the tallest mascot. He’d be a great nephew.”

And a final user typed: “Noooooo. AZ Alkmaar gave Daniel James the tallest mascot before the match. Europa League is cutthroat.”

James, 21, struggled to have much of an influence on the game – like the majority of his team-mates – cue one fan suggesting to bring the mascot on.

The Welshman was deployed in a more central role than usual, interchanging with Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes.

But the youngsters could not combine to unlock the resolute Alkmaar defence, which included ex-Aston Villa man Ron Vlaar.

James was pulled off after 63 minutes with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turning to Marcus Rashford in the hope of finding a goal but United could not get the breakthrough.