Eric Djemba-Djemba insists he loves life in Manchester – even though he has problems finding his way around. The Manchester United midfielder reckons he feels as much at home in the north of England as in his native Africa but admits: « On the day of my Old Trafford debut against Bolton I got lost on my way to Old Trafford.
« On another occasion I had to flag down a police car to ask the way and the driver was a City fan. He told me ‘because you’re a Red you’re going to have to sort it out for yourself’, but he was only joking. »
The 23-year-old says he has settled in well after his move from French club Nantes and is enjoying his first season of Premiership football.
« I feel like I have been here for the last 10 years and the players treat me as though I’ve always been here, » he added. « I think the English have a similar mentality to ourselves in Africa, they’re very tough with a hard spirit and a tough mentality and for that reason I feel very much at home. »
As for arriving late for the Bolton game, Djemba-Djemba added in United’s official magazine: « The manager wasn’t too angry because he realised I hadn’t got used to my surroundings. He just took the Mickey out of me and everyone had a laugh. »
