Man Utd ace Daniel James admits he burst into tears after derby win as he opens up on dad’s death before dream transfer
DANIEL JAMES broke down in tears after Manchester United’s derby win over City in December as he opened up on losing his father.
Dad Kevan passed away aged 60 just three weeks before the Wales winger’s £15million move to Old Trafford last June.
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And an emotional James, 22, spoke of both the joy and heartbreak he experienced following United’s Premier League triumph at the Etihad.
He said: “I rang my missus and mum afterwards — I was in the toilet crying my eyes out because I was so happy.
“But when you’re that happy you want to be able to share it with the people you love. I couldn’t share that with my dad.
“He would have been there and I wanted to share it with him and I couldn’t. That was the hardest thing for me.
“When you’re down you think about it but when you’re at your happiest you do as well because you want to share that with them.”
James was due to be travelling with Wales for a training camp in Portugal prior to Euro 2020 qualifiers with Croatia and Hungary when he received the devastating news.
When you’re that happy you want to be able to share it with the people you love. I couldn’t share that with my dad.
Daniel James
Since his big-money move from Swansea he has shown courage on and off the pitch.
But he admits the personal tragedy and making the switch to the Prem at the same time was hard to cope with.
James told the Konversations with Kenji podcast, hosted by ex-Swansea team-mate Kenji Gorre: “It was a great day signing for United but it was upsetting as well.
“My dad knew I was going to sign for United but he didn’t get to be there when I actually did.
“That’s something that has obviously affected me sometimes this season. But in other ways it drives me on. I know he always believed in me.
“It didn’t hit me until a while after because it didn’t feel real. I still thought I was going to go home and see him.
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"Him and my mum are the main reason why I am at United.”
James has made 37 appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and paid tribute to his dad by pointing to the sky after he scored on his Old Trafford debut against Chelsea on the opening day of the season.
He added: “Now I’m at the biggest club in the world and it’s crazy with the history they have got.”