Wrexham use Hollywood muscle to secure transfer of Man Utd wonderkid

Wrexham's League One promotion bid has been boosted by the signing of former Manchester United midfielder Matty James.

The Red Dragons sit second in the table after 12 games, four points adrift of leaders Birmingham City, with Phil Parkinson's side chasing a third consecutive promotion. But a shortage of midfield options has developed in recent weeks with George Evans suffering a long-term ankle injury, while Andy Cannon and George Dobson are just one booking away from suspensions.

Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have responded by putting their hands in their pockets and signing James on a short-term deal until January, according to the Daily Mail.

James, 33, was a product of United's academy but did not make a first-team appearance for the club. After two loan stints at Preston North End in the Championship, the central midfielder made his breakthrough at Leicester City and was a key player in the team that won promotion to the Premier League in 2014.

He featured prominently in the top flight the following season, but injury robbed him of the chance of being part of the Foxes' unlikely Premier League title triumph in 2015/16.

Loan spells with Barnsley and Coventry City followed when he returned to full fitness, but it was at Bristol City where he found a new home. He signed a three-year contract at Ashton Gate in 2021 and made 111 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals.

James has been without a club since, but he will be hopeful of making a big impact at Wrexham over the next two months to either earn a contract extension or a deal elsewhere.

James is not the only free agent addition Wrexham is planning to make in the coming weeks, with Parkinson and his staff assessing options in the striker market with Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher facing extended periods on the sidelines through injury. Former Bolton Wanderers forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is among the club's prospective targets.

Although he has injuries to contend with, Parkinson is delighted by Wrexham's start to the season. "I think we would have all taken that at the start," Parkinson said ahead of Sarturday's visit to Charlton Athletic. “It's a great start, the lads have done well and you have got to keep evolving as a team.

"Whether it is a bit of disruption from injuries, you have keep thinking up different formulas of different players from the bench to change things and we will have a good think before the weekend what we are going to do with the team, and pick the team we feel is ready to go into what will be a great game at Charlton."