James, Gill win Man Utd pro contracts

Manchester United have handed pro deals to Matthew James and Oliver Gill.

Bacup-born James, 17, scored six times for the U18s in just 14 appearances. He also found the net four times for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s second-string, including three spectacular efforts from distance.

Gill, 18 and a commanding presence on the pitch, can play in the middle or on the left side of defence. His height also makes him a threat at attacking set-pieces.