The Chinese prodigy who's meant to make Manchester United big-bucks in the Asian market, Dong Fangzhou, has admitted life over the past few months have been difficult trying to live up to great expectations.

Young striker Fangzhou was snapped up last season from Chinese outfit Dalian for a lucrative free plus incentives after impressive in several trials at Carrington.

The 19-year old, tipped as Asia's finest prospect, is the key to crack the Eastern market, however, his first few months on the books of United have been far from impressive, flopping on-loan at Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp.

Fangzhou had problems obtaining a work-permit so was loaned out to Belgium in order to solve that problem, a problem that could take at least 3 years.

Speaking in an interview, he said via an interpreter: "It's difficult sometimes and when I first arrived I was lonely. But the thought of one day playing for Manchester United drives me on. That is why I have come to a foreign country, to improve myself and to work hard, so one day I will be good enough to play in England. I am not ready yet but that is my ambition." 

"There must be some relevance between United signing me and the club's aspiration to break into the Chinese market,"

"Manchester United wanted someone who was young, who could be worked on and improve, and who came from China. I fit all those criteria and that is why they chose me but they do not need me to win popularity in China. They already have huge support in my country." he added.

Dong is still an unknown in China despite netting 6 goals for his country in the Asian Under-23 games recently.

ManUtdWeb wishes all the best to Dong...