Simmo staying focused

Danny Simpson is refusing to get carried away, despite an impressive league debut against Wigan during which he set up United's fourth goal.

The 20-year-old entered the fray just before the half-hour after injuries to Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea forced a reshuffle in the United defence.

Simpson looked completely at home in the right-back slot and capped his display with a fine centre for Wayne Rooney to head home eight minutes from time. It was a hugely proud day for Simpson, but he insists the real hard work is still to come.

"Just because there might be a bit of hype about you after a couple of games for the first team it doesn’t mean you’ve made it," he told ManUtd.com.

"You’ve almost got to work even harder when that happens to prove that you can stay in there.

"I was really pleased that I was able to set up Wayne for the fourth goal. All the lads came running over to me and it was just a really mad feeling, especially as all my family were at Old Trafford that day.

"To be playing with the likes of Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs – players you’ve grown up watching – was just amazing.

"And having Rio [Ferdinand] next to me in the defence was brilliant. He never stopped talking to me and helped me so much with my positioning and marking."

Simpson knows he faces a tough task in trying to gain a regular run in the side, but believes this season's influx of new players has really benefited the team.

"The addition of the new players in the summer has meant there is a good group of young lads at the club now and it makes training really good fun and exciting," he said.

"There’s good competition for places because everyone is working hard to get their chance. That can only help the team."