Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United's new signings will be stunned by the size of the club during their overseas tour.

Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell, who cost United a combined £16million from Borussia Dortmund and Crewe, are expected to make their first appearances for United on the current trip to South Africa and China.

"When I signed it was just before a tour," he said. "You just think to yourself 'how can it be this big on the other side of the planet?', but that's the club it is and it's great to be a part of that.

"I remember talking to Nicky Butt about how big United are over in Malaysia. When we went anywhere, it was like The Beatles coming into town.

"With United it's crazy in Asia. You can't leave the hotel in downtime or leisure time because there are just so many fans there. You'd be ushered back in or need security to go out.

"It's so much easier when you live with people on tour, you get to understand them better. It's vital for a new signing, being on the training ground with the rest of the squad.

"As a senior player, you have a responsibility to help the younger players. It's important how you conduct yourself around the hotel and how you apply yourself in training.

"That's the biggest thing I noticed when I joined. The application of players and intensity of training was so much different to anywhere I'd been before."