Manchester United will unveil new signing Alexander Buttner on Tuesday after the Dutch defender passed a medical at Old Trafford on Monday.

The Vitesse Arnhem left-back has emerged as a slightly surprise transfer target for the Red Devils, and will complete a £3.9 million move to England on Tuesday.

United have been in the market for a new left-back to provide competition for places with Patrice Evra, and were being linked with a move for Everton's Leighton Baines.

However, Buttner will provide a more cost-effective option, and has expressed his delight at moving to Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

"If you had told me one week ago that I would be training with and playing for the same team as Robin van Persie, I would have sent you to a mental home," he has stated to Dutch media, translated to English by The Telegraph.

“I'm very delighted that such a big club bought me.

"My biggest strength? I never give up. I was born in a suburb in Doetinchem, called the Camp.

“My grandparents lived in a camp, like a trailer camp, and I was a real street urchin. A little rat.

“I was always playing football on the streets and it was a tough education, I can tell you," he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight