Former Man Utd wonderkid tipped to replace Wayne Rooney wakes up unemployed aged 29 as 11 stars are released

FORMER Manchester United starlet James Wilson has woken up unemployed after being released by Northampton Town.

The striker, 29, is one of ELEVEN players who have been let go by the League One side.

3 Former Man Utd starlet James Wilson has been released by Northampton Credit: Getty

3 Wilson failed to score in 12 outings for Northampton Credit: Getty

Wilson only joined Northampton on a free transfer last summer.

But the forward, once tipped to replace Wayne Rooney at United, failed to score one single goal in 12 outings.

And he is now on the hunt for a new club after Northampton released him following a disappointing 19th place finish.

But Wilson isn’t the only star to depart, with ten others also axed by Northampton.

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Tyler Magloire, Jack Sowerby, Nik Tzanev, Ali Koiki, Liam McCarron, Harvey Lintott, Akin Odimayo, Will Hondermarck, TJ Eyoma and Reuben Wyatt have also been shown the door.

Manager Kevin Nolan confirmed: "We have made some difficult decisions and it is never nice having to tell a player that their contract is not being renewed.

"Some of these players have been at the club a number of years and have played a big part here, helping the club enjoy some good times over the last few years, and all of the departing players will leave with our thanks and best wishes.

“We believe we have a good core of players here, both in terms of ability and culture, which is very important, and we are excited to be entering into discussions with our chosen targets to build on and add to that over the course of the summer.”

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Wilson joined United in 2002 when he was just seven years old.

He made his senior debut in May 2014 against Hull, netting twice in a 3-1 win.

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3 Wilson was once tipped to replace Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford Credit: Getty

The following season saw Wilson play 17 times for United, scoring a further two goals.

Disappointing spells then followed at Brighton, Derby, Sheffield United and Aberdeen as Wilson only ever made a further two appearances for the Red Devils.

He joined Abdereen permanently in 2019.

But after failing to net in 16 games, he returned to England six months later with Salford City.

Wilson spent 18 months there before joining Port Vale, where he netted 23 goals in 105 outings over three seasons.

Several injury setbacks ended his time there, leading to his most recent opportunity at Northampton.

Wilson was once tipped by ex-United manager Louis van Gaal as the successor to legendary striker Rooney.

Van Gaal chose Wilson over Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, who were both sold by the Dutchman.

And at the time, fellow Red Devils icon Ryan Giggs hailed Wilson as one for the future.

He said: “Wilson is a natural goalscorer, but he has got more to his game than that. He can run at people, he has got pace and he is a clever player.”

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