Blackett: I've grown up going to Old Trafford to watch United

Tyler Blackett signed a contract extension this week that will keep him at Manchester United until 2017. The young defender has revealed he has grown up going to watch United play and that it’s a dream come true to be playing for the first team.

I’ve always been a United fan and this is the club I’ve grown up watching. I love going to United and seeing the games, so playing for United is just a dream come true. It’s what I’ve worked for my whole life. Being at United is everything I’ve always wanted, so I’m just happy to get the deal done now.

Blackett says he gets inspiration from the other defenders around him who have had to establish themselves in the first team with competition from more experienced players.

It’s great because they’ve all been in my position before, so they’ve done it. I’m looking up to them but hopefully I’m here to challenge them as well. I want to kick on and to challenge the players in front of me and get a regular place in the first team. Hopefully I can get call-ups for England, push on and be more established in this great club. I know I’ve got everything [I need to] achieve here at the club. All the coaches are going to help me, so I’m just hoping to achieve great things here. I’ve got to keep on improving, concentrating and listening to the coaches and staff. I’ll take on board everything they say.