Man Utd fans delighted as Dan James scores yet again – for Wales against Belarus

MANCHESTER UNITED fans might have had a week off from the Premier League but they still got the chance to see one of their star summer signings score in red.

Dan James scored another wonder goal to continue his red-hot start to the season for club and country and give Wales a 1-0 win over Belarus.

Getty - Contributor

Dan James is congratulated by his Wales team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Belarus[/caption]

Yet it was a shame there was a sparse crowd of just 7,666 in the Welsh capital to see James win his sixth cap in Ryan Giggs‘ starting line-up at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The uninspiring last-gasp Euro 2020 qualifying 2-1 win over Azerbaijan last Friday, in which James played 90 minutes, failed to capture the imagination of Wales’ support and could have played a part in this poor attendance – the second-lowest at the 33,280-capacity Cardiff City Stadium in a decade.

But those stayaway fans must be kicking themselves that they did not witness James bag his second international in the 17th minute – a carbon copy of Thierry Henry’s trademark that even got Gareth Bale’s seal of approval as the Real Madrid superstar applauded the finish from the bench.

James, who has been a revelation at Old Trafford since his £15million summer move from Swansea, still had plenty of work to do when he collected the ball 25 yards from goal on the left flank.

But United’s August Player of the Month, thanks to goals against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Southampton, only needed three touches before beating hapless Maksim Plotnikov.

James’ first was to control the ball, the second to set the ball to his right and the third produced a superb curling effort from the edge of the penalty box beyond the Belarus keeper.

United fans were quick to react with delight at the youngster’s success.

Dan James (£15M) > Nicolas Pepe (£80M)
I WONT TELL YOU AGAIN…

— (@CynicalWan) September 9, 2019

Clever goal again. Much alike his strikes for United so far.

— ʀɪᴄʜ ʏᴇᴏ (@TheYowser) September 9, 2019

Kid only scores bangers

— Dylan (@Dench_kid4) September 9, 2019

You have to beg Martial/Rashford to do this

I mean really really beg

— Snarik (@Ssnarik) September 9, 2019

PA:Press Association

James was replaced by Bale, the man whose spiritual place in the Wales team he will likely one day take[/caption]

The rapid 21-year-old was a constant menace to the visitors in the first period.

On the half hour mark, James broke once again down the left flank and his teasing centre intended for debutant Kieffer Moore was desperately turned behind for a corner by Belarus captain Sergei Politevich.

James’ work was done when Giggs replaced him after 50 minutes for talisman Bale.

His early withdrawal would have been a relief to United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba carrying injuries ahead of Saturday’s Premier League home clash with Leicester.

Wales, who were buoyed prior to kick-off with news Euro 2020 rivals Croatia were held to a 1-1 draw by whipping boys Azerbaijan in Baku, dominated this friendly.

In front of a near-empty stadium, Bournemouth ace Harry Wilson started positively and saw his third minute shot parried by Plotnikov.

As well as a debut for Wigan striker Moore, Lincoln midfielder Joe Morrell was also handed his senior bow.

It means Wales boss Giggs has used 43 players in just 15 games since he took charge in January 2018.

Wales went ahead when Morrell played a short pass to Jonny Williams and the Charlton midfielder, making his first start for his country since the opening game of Euro 2016 versus Slovakia, turned defence into attack before assisting James.

Giggs’ side showed no signs of letting up as Wilson cracked the inside of the post early in the second half.

And there was still time for Bale to miss an absolute sitter when he fired over from eight yards after Wilson’s pin-point cross.