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Wilson ushers in new Manchester United era with debut double
Manchester United's past and future collided as debutant James Wilson scored twice in a 3-1 win over HullCity on Tuesday that marked the end of stalwart Nemanja Vidic's Old Trafford career and set tongues wagging about Ryan Giggs.
Wilson, 18 years old and one of two debutants on show, scored in each half before Matty Fryatt pulled one back for Hull and Robin van Persie added a third for United in their final home game of a turbulent season.
Wilson stole the headlines, but an emotional finish to the night focussed on those at the other ends of their careers.
Wilson was making his debut in senior football having impressed at youth level and made the sort of impact most young players can only dream of when he pounced on Marouane Fellaini's knock-down to rifle home on 31 minutes.
His predatory instincts were showcased again 16 minutes into the second half when he tucked in a rebound after a Fellaini shot was saved.
A stunning Fryatt effort from 25 yards to reduce the deficit and Van Persie's finish at the second attempt to re-establish United's two-goal lead completed the scoring on an occasion that had the feel of a testimonial.
Dream impact
Wilson, the latest young talent to come off the United production line, showed razor sharp predatory instincts to score a goal in each half as Giggs's side completed a comfortable victory in their final home match of the season.
Wilson was one of two youngsters making their first United appearances on the night, along with 20-year-old forward Tom Lawrence, and was the leading light in a three-pronged attack with 19-year-old Adnan Januzaj.
The performance of the three youngsters will give beleaguered United supporters hope that better times lie ahead after a nightmare season.
Club captain Vidic, who is leaving for Inter Milan in the close season, played his final home match, receiving a memento prior to kickoff from club great Bobby Charlton and a 'thank you' from Giggs who addressed the crowd in his role as interim manager at fulltime.
One negative for United was the shoulder injury suffered by England's World Cup hopeful Phil Jones that brought about Vidic's early entrance to the fray.
The centre back was taken off after 22 minutes and then taken to hospital.
Wilson can bring the excitement back to United: Giggs
Giggs had swapped his club suit for a tracksuit and made a substitute appearance that many speculate could be his last.
"We know it has been tough this season and over they years we have been spoiled with all the success we have had," he said clutching a microphone on the Old Trafford pitch.
"But the support this year has been fantastic and I am sure over the coming years we will bring you more success.
"Keep supporting us, you have seen a glimpse of the future. We always give youth a chance and that's what this club is all about."
The address was in stark contrast to the celebratory tone of last season's message delivered by Alex Ferguson, who signed off his 27-year career with a 13th Premier League trophy and an appeal for United fans to stay loyal to his successor David Moyes.
Two weeks after Moyes's troubled 10-month spell in charge came to an end, United are seventh in table with 63 points, three behind sixth-place Tottenham Hotspur. Hull, who take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final on May 17, stay 15th.
"I said when I took over I wanted to bring excitement back. Some of the forward play from the three young lads was brilliant," Giggs said.
"We got the young lads in to train with us and they never looked out of place. I wanted to freshen things up from Saturday and they never let us down. James Wilson is not just a finisher, his all-round play is very good and he is exciting."
United great Giggs, meanwhile, was giving away no clues about his own future.
Coming on as a late substitute against Hull, the 40-year-old may have made the last of his 963 appearances for the club.