Manchester United midfielder Ben Pearson believes he will be a more respected professional at Old Trafford after his loan spell with Barnsley.

The midfielder, 20, was the third player in through the Oakwell door on Thursday and will be with the Reds for an initial month.

England under 20 international Pearson played at Oakwell in pre-season for a Manchester United XI and is happy that he will make his professional debut at the same ground. Pearson, who has been coached by United legends Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, told the Chronicle: "Our manager says it all the time that, when lads come back, you get treated as though you're more mature. "You feel as though you are more of a senior player when you come back so there is a massive difference.

"I'm looking forward to making my professional debut on Saturday and I want to do well and impress people. I've been playing under 21 football for 18 months and I've not actually had any experience of playing with men or the first team.

"Hopefully I can play games and score a few. "We'll just have to wait and see how it goes and how I adapt to the football.

"Hopefully I'll do well and, you never know, the loan could get extended."

Manager Danny Wilson believes Pearson, who won United's Young Player of the Year award in 2013, will add more bite to the midfield. He said: "His tenacity is what attracted us because that has been what we have needed. He's a good footballer as well and is thought very high of at Manchester United.  The fans may remember him for the pre-season game against us at Oakwell when he was outstanding. We've been aware of him for a while but they've only just made him available for loan."