Ryan Giggs has admitted that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sought his advice before signing Daniel James at Manchester United.
The Welshman moved to Old Trafford from Swansea just months after a move to Leeds collapsed.
Giggs knew what James was capable of having coached him an international level.
And the Wales boss believes the move was a "no-brainer" given the 22-year-old's willingness to improve.
"Ole asked me about him," Giggs told the Webby & O’Neill channel.
"Ole was the one that came to me, it wasn’t the other way [around]. It was last season. He nearly went to Leeds before that so Ole knew about him and the club had been watching him.
"It was a no-brainer. He’s like that [on an upward trajectory] in his career. As a lad he’s a great lad as well, he wants to get better and he’s someone that wants to learn. He’s someone I thought would be suited to this place."
James has made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring four times.
He scored against LASK shortly before lockdown which ended a 30-match scoreless run.
Prior to that he had bagged three goals early in his United career before a drop off but Giggs admits that is to be expected given his age.
"He came in and scored on his home debut against Chelsea and did really well but it's not easy when defences and everyone is behind the ball," added the United great.
"Then what happens is you try too hard and you don’t have your natural game. He is still young because he’s only really had one season at Swansea. He’d been on loan moves to Shrewsbury. He is definitely a player that will get better because he wants to get better, he’s a great lad.
"Even if he’s not having a really great game he’s always putting the opposition on the back foot because they know what he’s capable of [with his speed]."
