James joins Wigan | Wigan Athletic

However, lack of playing time forced him to leave the club on-loan during the last term.

James’ exit from the club so soon after signing a new deal shows United have got their business heads screwed on again and they’ll be keen to avoid any situations like David de Gea where a player’s contract can run out.

The 21-year-old featured in the Championship for Rotherham and Huddersfield last season and Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman would like to secure another loan move to the second tier for a player who made his United debut in the Capital One Cup last season.

Wigan, however, are desperate to bounce straight back following their relegation from the Championship and Gary Caldwell wants to add James to his already strong squad in League One, the Mail report.

“He has been schooled by one of the best academies around and has impressed both at Under-21 level and whilst on loan”.

Caldwell believes that his new defender “will strengthen competition on [the] left side [of defence]”, and is happy to have James’ versatility on board as he can play “as a full-back, or in a wing back role“.

Francisco Junior is a 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder who will spend a month with Latics, while Jonjoe Kenny is an 18-year-old defender who has arrived on a two-month deal.

While there were three new faces at Wigan, full-back James Tavernier and striker Martyn Waghorn were lured to Rangers this week.