Manchester United striker James Wilson has joined Brighton on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old signed a new four-year contract in September, with the option of an additional year.

But despite his side’s recent struggle for goals, Louis van Gaal has allowed the England Under-21 international to move to the Championship club.

The move means that van Gaal now only has two strikers – Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial – to choose from after selling Javier Hernandez to Bayer Leverkusen at the start of the season.

Wilson has made just two appearances for the Old Trafford side this season as a substitute against Arsenal and in the League Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.

Despite currently sitting second in the Premier League table, United have managed just 19 goals so far this season and have failed to score in four of their last seven games.

Brighton, meanwhile, are second in the Championship after 17 games, level on points with Hull, but are yet to lose in the league.

Boss Chris Hughton told the club’s official website: “We have been keen to add a striker, and James has been our number one target for some time, so we are absolutely delighted to have completed the deal.

“James is an exciting young striker, and we hope that this move will prove to be very good for all parties involved.

“He is very highly thought of at Old Trafford and he has been in and around the first-team picture at Manchester United since Ryan Giggs gave him his debut the season before last.

“There was a huge amount of competition from rival clubs to sign James on loan and it has been another great team effort to secure his signature.

“I now hope he will help us maintain our excellent start to the season, and bring additional goals to the squad.”