Lauren James: Meet Man Utd's Teenage Sensation Setting the WSL Alight

​Manchester United are making a success of their debut Women’s Super League season. A fourth place finish behind the ‘Big Three’ at the first time of asking is already a more than achievable target for a club that was only formed a little over 18 months ago.

A number of players have put in star turns since promotion, including new captain Katie Zelem, goalkeeper Mary Earps, centre-back Millie Turner and winger Leah Galton. Kirsty Hanson and Amy Turner were named WSL October Player of the Month by the FA and PFA respectively.

But it is teenage forward Lauren James who is perhaps giving fans the most reason to get excited over her performances so far this season.

James only celebrated her 18th birthday at the end of September but is already one of the new stars of the WSL. Leading the line for United ahead of the more experienced Jane Ross, she has scored seven times in all competitions this season, five of which have come in the league.

Only Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema, who was recently named sixth best female player in the world by The Guardian, finished fifth in the 2019 Ballon d’Or standings, and bagged a double hat-trick for the Gunners earlier this month, has scored WSL more goals in 2019/20.

​​James netted a brace and won a penalty in United’s most recent victory over Everton on Sunday. Those three direct goal involvements each showcased a very different set of skills in her rapidly developing game and highlight just how big a talent the club has on its hands.

The first was a close-range tap-in that showed strong awareness and anticipation to get into position at the near post for a straightforward finish. To win the penalty, James ran at the Everton defence, keeping the ball under close control and drawing the foul. Her second goal was a driven finish from the edge of the penalty area.

The youngster is at ease using both feet and can take on defenders to the left or to the right, making it a nightmare to try and stop her. Her technique is already up there with the very best in the WSL. Strength and a low centre of gravity make it difficult to knock her off the ball, while she is capable of striking the ball with tremendous power.

James is also deceptively quick across the ground, another string to her multifaceted bow.

Since the start of last season, when she joined United from Arsenal as a 16-year-old, James has scored 24 goals. The club may be a new one, but it still makes her United’s all-time leading scorer, with that tally only set to grow as the season continues and the years go by.

United manager Casey Stoney has played alongside and worked with many exceptional players during her time in football, including England’s greatest ever in Kelly Smith. But Stoney revealed last month that James has potential like she’s never previously seen.

“She has a talent that I haven’t seen in the women’s game before,” the United boss told the Manchester Evening News. “I genuinely believe she can become the best player in the world and one of the best players in the world for a long time.”

What makes James so impressive is that she is still a very raw and unpolished talent, as one would expect for a player so young. A performance against Tottenham earlier this season perhaps summed that up when she was named Player of the Match in an important United win, but was then also sent off in stoppage time after picking up an unnecessary second yellow card.

Consistency and decision making are key things that any young footballer has to get to grips with. It comes with maturity and James, even now, is already starting to show signs of that with each passing performance, improving as a result.

James has already done so much, but there is still so much yet to come from one of the best young talents in the world.

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