Manchester United fullback Reece James says his loan spell at Carlisle United was an eye opener.
James' period at Carlisle was cut short in September.
He told MUTV: "I'd not watched much of that league and it actually surprised me how teams tried to play football. I thought there would be a lot of long balls and easier to deal with but it was actually a lot harder. Teams are straight in your face and it was a lot quicker.
"I realised in the Capital One Cup game with Blackburn that all the kicks were coming to my side so I knew they were targeting me in the air. It was a big learning curve.
"[Off the pitch], I was living with three other lads who I didn't know so I had to get to know them. I couldn't cook so I was on the phone to my mum at the same time to get some recipes and things like that! I think it's important as, at some point in your life, you will be moving out from home and it's helped me in doing that and living away from my family."
