Alex Ferguson expects Dong Fangzhou to show his strengths at Man Utd next season.
Dong will start against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Thursday, as United continue their pre season tour of the Far East, and Old Trafford manager Ferguson has spelt out what he would like from the forward.
"We expect larger things from Dong next season," Ferguson informed the Daily Express.
"He has terrific pace and power. He's a very athletic boy and has a marvellous physique."
However, the Chinese attacker faces a difficult task to get into the Premier League champions' 1st team with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him in the pecking order.
Dong, though, has now signed a permanent 3 year contract at Old Trafford after spending time at United's feeder club Royal Antwerp following his initial transfer from Dalian Shide in 2004.
Having handed him his new deal, Ferguson is now keen to see the 22 year old compete for a 1st team role.
"He did exceptionally well and scored a lot of goals at Antwerp and his experience with the Chinese national team was good for him," Ferguson added.
"Next season we will see a better player. Hopefully he is an emerging player for us."
Dong has made one Premier League appearance to date, which came against Chelsea in the penultimate game of last season.
21 June 2007
Shandong Luneng surged to the top of the Chinese Super League after a 3-1 triumph over Zhejiang Green City recently in the 14th round.
Li Jinyu, omitted by coach Zhu Guanghu from the recently said AFC Asian Cup 2007 squad, scored 2 goals in the 2nd period whilst Han Peng added another.
The double also saw Li become the 1st football player to net a 100 goals in the Chinese Super League.
In other games, Wuhan beat Changchun Yatai 3-1, Henan shared the honours with Shanxi 1-1, Shenzen drew goalless with Changsha Jinde whilst Dalian Shide returned the same scoreline with Liaoning, and Xiamen drew with Qingdao 2-2.
The 15th round will be held on August 8 after the AFC Asian Cup 2007T (July 7-29) finals.
8 times Chinese champions Dalian Shide sack GM Lin Lefeng after a 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted Zhejiang Lucheng at the weekend left them 4th in the Super League.
"This season the club has failed to improve and has failed to attract foreign players," mentioned a statement posted on the club's website.
"The team has lost points to smaller clubs on lots of occasions, that included a newly-promoted bottom-ranked club."
Lin, who was in charge for 7 years, will be replaced by former China and Dalian midfielder Li Ming, who was promoted from assistant coach.
