Djemba-Djemba sets out United future

Eric Djemba-Djemba is ready to end his ‘trampoline year’ by bouncing into Manchester United’s first team.

The Cameroon midfielder has endured a frustrating first season at Old Trafford since his £4.2m (€6.3m) move from Nantes last summer.

After recovering from a couple of niggling injuries, the 22-year-old was then required to head off to Tunisia for a month as Cameroon embarked on an unsuccessful African Nations Cup campaign.

Djemba-Djemba eventually returned to the United line-up earlier this month when he was given a surprise start in the Champions League second leg clash with Porto.

A bruised rib curtailed his contribution at half-time but, after receiving the welcome news there was no break, he then jetted off to skipper Cameroon’s Olympic side in their 1-1 draw with Congo.

Djemba-Djemba may yet be required to play in this weekend’s final qualifier with Mali, a move that would force him out of Sunday’s crunch Premiership clash with Arsenal at Highbury.

The Douala-born player, dubbed ‘Little Cantona’ by his international team-mates, admits it has been a difficult year but he is confident he will soon make the final jump and become a first-team regular.

“I view this year as my trampoline year,” he said.

“I want to propel myself into my Manchester United career and I already feel as though I have learned a lot.

“Sure I would have liked to play more but hopefully that will only be good for next year and the years after that.

“I’ve started to eradicate the little errors I had but once I get a chance to play more regularly you’ll see the real me.”

Djemba-Djemba has made 15 first-team appearances so far and scored twice, not the kind of ratio his idol Cantona would have been that proud of.

As a United fan, Djemba-Djemba used to copy the brilliant Frenchman’s distinctive style of wearing his shirt collar up, a move that earned him ‘Little Cantona’ nickname.

Now, he is more of a combative Roy Keane-type figure, announcing his arrival in the English game by slamming his foot into Sol Campbell’s chest during the Community Shield last August.

While it did not exactly endear him to the Arsenal support, it won him plenty of goodwill with United and, given the chance, he thinks the super-fast style of the Premiership will really suit him.

“I am a mentally tough player,” he said. “I play hard and I play to win.

“I like the personal battles and duels in a match and I’ll do everything I can to avoid losing.

“It doesn’t take long to realise how fast and direct the Premiership is.

“You rarely get a moment in the game, especially in midfield, and that is exactly what I like.

“From the first match I have been really impressed. You might see a team three or four goals down with two minutes to go but they still keep fighting and attacking – nobody gives up.”