Sheffield United have signed Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet on loan.

The Belgium international is highly rated at Old Trafford and has made six first-team appearances since arriving from Stoke in January 2009.

Speed said: "We need versatile cover in case of further disruption and Ritchie will go straight into our squad at Leeds.

"I have seen him play loads of times, he's a good, solid player and I'm very pleased to get him here."