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Man United loan James Wilson to Brighton for rest of season

Manchester United forward James Wilson will spend the rest of the season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, the clubs announced on Thursday.

Wilson, who turns 20 on Tuesday, has made one substitute appearance in the Premier League and started a Capital One Cup match this season.

He scored once in 13 appearances for Man United a season ago after finding the net twice in his debut at the end of the 2013-14 season.

But with Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial preferred up front and Marouane Fellaini and Memphis Depay also options, manager Louis van Gaal has opted to send the young striker out on loan to the Championship side.

"We have been keen to add a striker, and James has been our number one target for some time, so we are absolutely delighted to have completed the deal," Brighton manager Chris Hughton said in a club statement.

"James is an exciting young striker, and we hope that this move will prove to be very good for all parties involved.

"He is very highly thought of at Old Trafford and he has been in and around the first-team picture at Manchester United since Ryan Giggs gave him his debut the season before last.

"There was a huge amount of competition from rival clubs to sign James on loan and it has been another great team effort to secure his signature. I now hope he will help us maintain our excellent start to the season, and bring additional goals to the squad."