Djemba-Djemba wants to live up to expectations

Eric Djemba-Djemba admits he has some work to do before he can be considered a true Manchester United player – but he is determined not to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s first transfer mistake.

In the week David Beckham’s Old Trafford career finally came to an end, the Cameroon international became Ferguson’s second signing of the summer, following Tuesday’s arrival of David Bellion.

While the pursuit of Ronaldinho goes on, £4.2m (€6m) new arrival Djemba-Djemba can now start to adjust to the demands of being a Red Devil, which means living up to Ferguson’s lofty expectations.

“Sir Alex Ferguson told me Manchester United never make a mistake when signing a player,” the 23-year-old told the club’s official website, www.manutd.com.

“I am only young and there are people who are already established here, players older than me who have their places in the team.

“But one thing that makes good players better is competition and fighting for places.

“I am here to learn and I am not setting my sights too high. But if I do get the chance, hopefully I will take it with both hands.”

The combative midfielder believes his physical approach is ideally suited to the Premiership, although he may have to curb the aggressive instincts which saw him receive 10 yellow cards and one red in just 28 French league games for Nantes last season.

Having paid an initial fee of £3.5m (€5m) for the player, plus an extra £700,000 (€1m) to be added on once he reaches a set number of games, Ferguson is certainly not buying a squad man, as appears to be the case with Bellion.

Djemba-Djemba took his international appearances to 14 in the Confederations Cup final defeat to France at the weekend, although like the rest of his Cameroon team-mates, he is still deeply affected by the untimely death of Marc-Vivien Foe.

He describes himself as a more aggressive version of Real Madrid star Claude Makelele, who also developed through the Nantes youth academy, albeit a few years earlier.

“I’m quite physical, which is one of the reasons why I got a few yellow cards last season,” he said.

“But I’m sure a lot of them would have gone un-noticed in England. It’s much easier to get booked in France because they don’t get stuck in like they do in England.”

Having returned to Manchester to conclude that deal, Red Devils chief executive Peter Kenyon also continued discussions with Paris St Germain in his efforts to land major transfer target Ronaldinho.

PSG have already turned down one bid for the player and have also said Real Madrid are ready to make a massive offer, which would see Ronaldinho remain in the French capital on loan next season.

However, the Brazilian’s brother and agent Roberto Assis is expecting a second bid to be lodged.

“The clubs have continued negotiations and Manchester United are set to make a new offer,” he said.

“From the player’s point of view, it is just about waiting to see what happens.

“Real Madrid have expressed an interest but that is for the following season.”