James Wilson expects permanent Manchester United exit

Aberdeen loanee James Wilson has admitted that he is "edging towards" finding a new club in the summer as he does not expect to be offered a new contract by Manchester United.

The ex-England Under-21s international has spent 17 years with the Red Devils, 12 of those in the academy, but has made just 20 first-team appearances.

Thirteen of those outings came in the Premier League five seasons ago, but Wilson has since struggled to make an impact and has spent successive seasons out on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion, Derby County, Sheffield United and Aberdeen.

After a series of injuries and loan moves, Wilson concedes that he is unlikely to stay on at the club he joined at the age of seven.

"I think I've come to terms with it," he told ESPN. "I wouldn't say I'm 100% certain I'm going to leave. There's still a slight chance I might get a contract but I think I'm edging towards leaving in the summer.

"I'll come to terms with it more when it actually happens. I think it might be tougher than perhaps I thought. My focus is one the next step, wherever that might be."

Wilson has scored three goals in 20 appearances for Aberdeen this season