Former Stoke City defender Ritchie de Laet admits he's in shock over his move to Manchester United.

"I'm really shocked, to be honest," he said.

"We have talked about it for two weeks and, at first, I didn't think it would go through.

"I first heard about their interest when my agent rang and said do you fancy Manchester United? I thought he was joking.

"Then, a week after that, on New Year's Day, he called me and said the two clubs were trying to get an agreement done. So it was coming closer and closer.

"Then yesterday I was asleep when Stoke called me to sign some papers. I still can't believe it. It's a dream come true.

"The family are all happy, of course. They could not believe it at first. My Dad had to stop work and went home because he couldn't believe it."

He revealed that United were taking over the remaining six months of his contract at Stoke - and have promised a two-or three-year deal at Old Trafford if he impresses between now and the summer.

"Even if they don't take me," said De Laet, "there will be six months at United on my CV, so I'll find something."

He revealed that United's assistant reserve coach Warren Joyce - De Laet's coach at Antwerp - was instrumental in his astonishing move north.

"He's probably quite a big influence," he continued, "and was pushing to get me over there. I have to thank him."

De Laet was due to meet Sir Alex Ferguson and his new team-mates for the first time in training today - but does he really believe he can hit the jackpot at United?

"I think so. I need to believe in myself," he told The Sentinel.

"If you don't, then you shouldn't be going up there. But I believe I can.

"I don't know what it will be like playing against those names in training, I will have to let you know. It's just brilliant. I will just try to be calm and not be nervous. I will be nervous, but I cannot show it."