Levitt to make Red Devils bow

Levitt has been named in the Wales
senior squad three times since May.
(Photo: Getty Images)

Wales midfielder Dylan Levitt will make his Manchester United debut in their UEFA Europa League match away to Astana on Thursday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has confirmed. The youngster, who turned 19 on 17 November, is part of a youthful squad travelling to Kazakhstan's capital, as United attempt to move closer to confirming top spot in Group L.

Levitt commits to Red Devils

Wales midfielder Dylan Levitt will be with Manchester United until at least 2022, after signing a new long-term contract with the club, which includes the option of an extra year. The 18-year-old has yet to make his senior debut for the Red Devils, but has been included in Ryan Giggs' last few senior Wales squads and is a regular for the under-21s for both club and country.

Last season, Levitt scored seven times in 25 youth team appearances on his way to being nominated alongside Mason Greenwood and James Garner for the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award. He has since made the step up to Neil Wood's under-23 side, and despite missing a month of the season to injury and international commitments, he has already scored three times in seven appearances.

Wales take on Azerbaijan in Baku on Saturday, hoping to add to the 2–1 victory they recorded in Cardiff in September, before a potential winner-takes-all match at home to Hungary on Tuesday night.

United held to draw at home to Arsenal

Daniel James attempts to get a cross past Sokratis
(Photo: Getty Images)

Manchester United fell to their worst start to a league season for 30 years on Monday night, as a 1-1 draw with Arsenal left them on nine points from their first seven matches. The last time United managed so few points to begin a campaign, Sir Alex Ferguson was still yet to win a trophy as manager and the team finished the season in 13th place.

Again, Wales' Daniel James played all 90 minutes and looked lively, earning an early free kick for which Calum Chambers was booked, but Scott McTominay's long-range effort proved to be United's only goal of the game, making it eight games in a row that the Red Devils have now failed to find the net for a second time.

United Women pick up first WSL win

Goals from 17-year-old Lauren James and captain Katie Zelem gave Manchester United their first win as a Women's Super League club when they faced bitter rivals Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday.

The two sides went into the match level on points at the bottom of the WSL table, but it was the home side who prevailed, moving them into the top half ahead of the international break.

James puts United into Carabao Cup fourth round

James strokes home the winning penalty

(Photo: Getty Images)

Daniel James struck the winner as Manchester United beat Rochdale 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. The 21-year-old started the match on the bench, but came on in place of Tahith Chong on the hour mark as Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side sought to open the scoring.

Striker Mason Greenwood, after a quick recovery from tonsillitis that kept him out of the loss to West Ham at the weekend, found the net just eight minutes later. However, Rochdale were back on level terms eight minutes after that, thanks to 16-year-old right-back Luke Matheson.

James returns to toothless attack

Daniel James takes on West Ham's Ryan Fredericks

(Photo: Getty Images)

After missing Manchester United's Europa League win over Astana on Thursday, Daniel James returned to action on Sunday, but was unable to prevent his side from succumbing to a 2-0 defeat away to West Ham.

The winger missed training on Wednesday, but took full advantage of the team's recovery day on Friday in order to prove his fitness ahead of the game at the London Stadium. He played the full 90 minutes unscathed, but the team's pride will have been injured by the nature of the defeat.

James a doubt for Astana clash

Dan James has scored four goals in his

last seven appearances for club and country.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Daniel James is “touch and go” to play in Manchester United’s opening Europa League match at home to Astana on Thursday night. The winger missed training on Wednesday, and may be out for several days, putting his place in the side at risk for the league game against West Ham on Sunday.

Ladd and Ladies lose late

Hayley Ladd screens off Arsenal's Jill Roord

(Photo: Getty Images)

Manchester United's women's side suffered another narrow defeat on Monday night, going down 1-0 to Arsenal in their first home game of the season. Casey Stoney's side held firm for most of the game against the side where she spent much of her professional career, but they were eventually beaten by Daniëlle van de Donk's late winner.

James and Levitt in action for Red Devils

Daniel James skips past Leicester's Ricardo Pereira

(Photo: Getty Images)

Daniel James' Old Trafford scoring run came to an end on Saturday, as Manchester United got back to winning ways at home to Leicester City. The Welsh winger played almost the entire game, before making way for defender Axel Tuanzebe in injury time.

Fresh from scoring the winner in Wales' friendly against Belarus the previous Monday, James started brightly against Leicester. Cutting inside with one of his trademark runs off the left flank, Ricardo was unable to deal with the 21-year-old, giving away an early free kick on the edge of the penalty area; Andreas Pereira's ensuing effort was well saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

James on target against Belarus

Dan James earned a rest after scoring the winner against Belarus.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Daniel James scored his second goal in three games at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night as a young Wales side recorded a 1-0 friendly win over Belarus. The 21-year-old winger played just 50 minutes of the match, but not before curling in the winner from the edge of the area with just over a quarter of an hour played.

Ladd debuts as Reds suffer derby day defeat

Hayley Ladd joined United from Birmingham

in June 2019.

(Photo: Getty Images)

New signing Hayley Ladd made her Manchester United debut on Saturday, but was unable to prevent her side from slipping to a 1-0 defeat in the first ever Manchester derby in the Women's Super League.

The Wales international, fresh from a 2-2 draw against Northern Ireland on Tuesday, was one of six debutants for Manchester United in their first ever top-flight match. She slotted in at right-back opposite fellow newcomer Lotta Ökvist, and played the full 90 minutes in front of a league record crowd of 31,213 at the Etihad Stadium.

EURO 2020 qualifiers: James quiet as Bale saves Wales blushes

Dan James in action against Azerbaijan on Friday

(Photo: Getty Images)

United winger Daniel James played the full 90 minutes of Wales' EURO 2020 qualifier at home to Azerbaijan on Friday night. The 21-year-old was kept largely in check by the Azerbaijanis' game plan, but his work rate and pace helped him win the ball back a few times early on, as well as drawing a free kick in a positive area.

International update (6 September 2019)

Dan James has scored three goals in his
first four Manchester United appearances.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Among Manchester United fans, all eyes tonight will be on their Player of the Month for August 2019, new signing Daniel James. After impressing on the Red Devils' pre-season tour, James has played in all four of United's matches so far this season, and currently leads their goalscoring charts with three goals.

Welcome!

Welcome to Dragons and Devils! From the likes of Tom Burke and Jack Powell at the birth of the club, through Billy Meredith and Jimmy Murphy, to modern-day names like Ryan Giggs and Daniel James, the connection between Manchester United and Wales runs deep. This blog will not only provide updates on how the Red Devils' Welsh players are doing for both club and country, but also take the odd look back at the players who have worn both shirts down the years, including at youth level.

Croeso!
Tom