Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his delight AT signing playmaker Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.

The Japanese midfielder joined the Red Devils last week for an undisclosed fee and signed a four-year deal at Old Trafford and Ferguson believes the 23 year old can make a massive impact at the club.

"Shinji is an exciting young midfielder with great skill, vision and a good eye for goal. I am delighted he has chosen to come to United. I believe he will make an impact upon the team very quickly as he is suited to United's style of play. We are all looking forward to working with him," the Telegraph quoted the Scot as saying.

Kagawa had 17 goals and 13 assists to his name last season as Dortmund defended their Bundesliga title and won the German Cup.

Meanwhile, France international Jeremy Menez has revealed he once turned down the opportunity to join United. The Paris Saint-Germain winger said Ferguson had been keen to sign him back in 2002 but Menez, then 15, felt he was too young to leave Sochaux [former club] and his homeland.

"It was great fun. It is a club with a great coach, great players and I was flattered that they were interested in me. In Mr Ferguson's office, my brother and I had a long talk and he explained to me what he wanted to do with me. It was too early, though, for me to go abroad.I did think about it. You think maybe it is now or never. But in such moments you have to remain calm. I had already been at Sochaux for three years and was in no rush to leave," Sky Sports quoted Menez as saying.

"I remember visiting the training centre and seeing the first team players - notably Mikael Silvestre. Then we had a meeting with Ferguson. I was impressed, he is a coach with so many titles. I didn't say much, I just listened to what he told me. He even spoke about wages. He is a very honest man and doesn't say things just to get you to sign," the 25 year old added.

Menez went on to sign for AS Monaco in 2006 and AS Roma in 2008 before moving to PSG in 2011.