The Reds ensured that we would take a healthy advantage into next week's return meeting with the Spanish side following the 2-0 victory in Thursday’s first leg.
A first-half strike from Marcus Rashford and a late Bruno Fernandes penalty were the highlights of a hard-fought contest at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes, two goals that James believes has given United a firm grip on the tie.
“It's a great position, I think today we fought well,” James told MUTV’s Stewart Gardner after the match.
“Coming here, we knew it was going to be physical, it would be a good match for us and I think the important thing today is the clean sheet and going into the second leg with those two away goals.