Football
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Man Utd's James ready for rough treatment

SHANGHAI -- Manchester United new boy Daniel James has warned Premier League defenders there is no point trying to rough him up after a preseason tour that has seen the winger on the end of a number of late challenges.

Moussa Sissoko appeared to stamp on James during United's 2-1 win over Tottenham in Shanghai after a heavy tackle on the 21-year-old from the Frenchman.

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James was also targeted by Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar and Perth Glory's Neil Kilkenny but said the rough treatment won't bother him if it carries on this season.

"If you watch any of my games from last season I think it's going to happen to me every game," James said. "I got some rough treatment [against Tottenham] but it's literally every game.

"I'm used to it. It's just about getting back up and getting on with it. It's always going to be part of my game. Being a winger, I'm always going to get fouled but it's just about how you get on with it. I don't let it get in my head and just keep going."

Sissoko avoided even a booking after his challenge on James during a bad tempered first half at the Hongkou Stadium on Thursday. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino apologised for some of the tackles dished out by his players but James said afterwards he had no hard feelings after a physical game.

"I'd say in these friendly games the refs are a bit more lenient," James said. "Maybe refs out here are a bit more lenient than they are back home.

"It's a friendly so you're always going to be more lenient. They don't want to be handing out red cards. We'll see when we get back but certainly last year there was a bit of rough treatment."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have enjoyed a positive tour of Australia and the Far East as they recorded four victories from four matches against Perth Glory, Leeds United, Inter and Tottenham.

James, a £15 million summer signing from Swansea, has been one of United's standout players and he is already pushing to start the first game of the season against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Aug.11.

"Obviously my aim is to play but I don't expect to play," James said. "We've got amazing forward players here and even the youngsters coming through have done really well.

"It's always going to be tough but it's a long season. If it's not there at the start I've just got to keep biding my time and try and get in that team. Obviously I hope that I start on the first day but it's not always the case.

"I've started a few but we've shared the minutes. I think all the positions are still up for grabs."

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