Twelve months ago he was scoring two goals on his debut and was the talk of Manchester United.

Could the rangy James Wilson be the next to step off the club's conveyor belt?

A year later, things have not gone according to plan.

It is over a year since James Wilson burst onto the scene with two goals in United's win over Hull City

Wilson has scored twice this season - one coming in the 2-0 away win over Queens Park Rangers (pictured)

Wilson offered a timely reminder of his abilities by scoring in United's under 21 win over Man City on Tuesday

Wilson has added just two starts to that sparkling show against Hull City, has scored just twice more and was last seen in the seniors at February 11's 3-1 win over Burnley.

His contract is up in the summer and, as of yet, no new deal has been agreed.

That situation may well change, but the youngster who exploded onto the scene may now be seen as a slow burner.

At Old Trafford on Tuesday Wilson gave a timely reminder of his talents in United Under 21's 4-0 derby thumping of Manchester City.

Latching onto a smart through ball from fellow outcast Adnan Januzaj (more of him later) he kept his composure before beating City's Angus Gunn at his near post.

After the break Wilson turned provider, finding acres of space on the left to cross for sub Ashley Fletcher who could not miss.

Wilson (centre) combined well with Januzaj in United's resounding 4-0 win at Old Trafford

Januzaj delivers a cross ahead of Manchester City's Aaron Nemane during the OId Trafford fixture

Both players need to do a little bit more to impress United manager Louis van Gaal and win a starting place

Yes, the performance came against a youthful City side, but he will have benefited not only from playing in front of a big crowd (almost 17,000 turned up) but from catching the eye of dozens of scouts clutching pens and notepads in the main stand.

Wilson's development, should he be offered a new deal, may well be aided by a season away from HQ.

At Old Trafford they remember how Danny Welbeck matured during his time with Sunderland and another north-east club, Newcastle United, have expressed an interest in borrowing the Biddulph boy.

With Louis van Gaal set to restock his forward line in the summer, Wilson's fading chances of making the first-team may be diminished even further.

To write him off, however, would be harsh.

Wilson made his goalscoring bow in what was effectively a meaningless end-of-season match against disengaged opposition.

Wilson jumps in celebration after scoring for United in their FA Cup fourth round replay with Cambridge

Januzaj was a central figure for United during the ill-fated David Moyes reign last season

The Belgian celebrates scoring in United's 3-1 league win over West Ham last season

This year, at 19, it was a big ask to come into a side this term that, for long periods, was relying on his pace up front.

Time away will give the powers-that-be a better indication of what he is made of.

Januzaj is another whose stock has fallen this season.

When he spectacularly announced his arrival with a series of thrilling performances in 2013, kicking off an international dispute over his allegiances, he looked set to be a natural replacement to Ryan Giggs – so much so that he was given his old No 11 shirt.

But a barren campaign has seen Januzaj make his last start in that Burnley win and in January he was linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain.

Van Gaal, however, is understood to want to keep the 20-year-old Belgian at the club and there has been talk of a conversion to centre-forward over the summer.