“I think he’ll be a great acquisition.”

It hasn’t taken long for new boy Shinji Kagwa to make a good impression on his United team mates, with Rio Ferdinand especially impressed by the Japanese midfielder.

Kagawa completed his move from German champions Borussia Dortmund at the start of the month, and since then has garnered praise from Sir Alex and now Ferdinand.

A brief cameo against AmaZulu was proceeded by a exciting display against Ajax Cape Town and it appears the 23 year old has shown enough to get Ferdinand excited as the defender said in Shanghai:

“I’ve been very, very impressed. I’d seen him play for Dortmund on TV and I looked on YouTube.

“He’s been fantastic. He’s quick, he’s sharp, he has great awareness, he plays off both feet. I’m excited about playing with him and getting the season started.

“He’s been one of the better players in Germany for the last few years. I think he will bring that form to Manchester United. I think he’ll be a great acquisition.”

Sir Alex also spoke highly of Kagawa again, praising the speed at which he is adapting to life at his new club:

“The thing that’s quite impressed me is that every exercise we do on the training ground, he’s never needed it to be explained.

“After one demonstration, he joins in as if he’s known the language forever. Of course, we know he doesn’t speak the language, but it isn’t a problem.

“It just goes to show that a good footballer can pick up exactly what’s needed. He’s been fantastic in that respect. I’ve been quite surprised at that.”