Premier League - Obertan shocked at United move

Eurosport - Thu, 09 Jul 14:33:00 2009

France U21 winger Gabriel Obertan is in shock at his sudden move to Manchester United.

FOOTBALL Obertan 2009 France Under 21 - 0

Obertan has secured a four-year contract at Old Trafford, after leaving Bordeaux for a reported £3 million.

Obertan told French radio station RMC: "I knew they had been following me for a few years but I did not think it was going to happen this season."

He ended last season on loan to Lorient, where he scored one goal in 15 appearances and made only six starts.

However, he was named the most valuable player at the Toulon youth tournament last month. That prompted United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to move in and increase his attacking options following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

Obertan added: "We had no longer been in too much contact until the England Under-21s game where I played well for France and scored a goal.

"That helped things along. We spoke again, and I ended up signing.

"He (Ferguson) has put me at ease.

"He said to me that he knows my pros and cons. It's my potential that interests him. He has confidence in me. It is flattering and surprising.

"But I know I still have a lot of work to do to get to that (Ronaldo's) level."

PA Sport

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