DAVE Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter at the Oxford Mail talks to us about Boro's new signing Marvin Johnson 

On his history

"He is quite an interesting character, because he is quite a late bloomer.

"He came from Kidderminster and was picked up by Motherwell and did well there in 18 months. He didn't actually make his Football League debut until he came to Oxford last year, aged 25.

"It has all happened quite late for him, but his career is on a quite steep, upward curve."

On his arrival at Oxford

"He came in on deadline day last year and took probably six weeks or so to settle. I think there might have been a few supporters after his first month thinking 'Why did they spend this money on him?'. He didn't really impose himself on games and the jury was out on him.

"Whether it was just settling down or what, he suddenly just clicked by mid-October and for the next four or five months he was probably United's most consistent attacking threat.

"He finished the season with six goals and was involved in a lot of others."

On his attributes

"His big weapon is his pace, he is very direct. They rate him really high at Oxford, so much so that for three months he was used as a left back and that's where he played against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup in February when they matched him against (Adama) Traore. I know he made an error for (Rudy) Gestede's goal, but, if memory serves, he kept Traore quite quiet that day.

"Defensively, I would think he would be the first to admit he has still got something to learn, but he is so good going forward from deep he could still be viewed as United's biggest attacking threat, even from left back."

On whether he is ready for the Championship

"I would think he is good enough to play in the Championship. Before previous manager Michael Appleton left in the summer he felt if Johnson gave Oxford one more year he would then miss out the Championship and go to the Premier League."

On competition for his services

"United turned down a bid from Hull two or three weeks ago, but as far as I am are that was the only official offer that they had received. But a lot of Championship sides had been watching him since about December. I think a lot of people thought he would go in January, but United managed to ward that off. But despite what United have said all summer, most people would have been surprised if they managed to get through without selling him."

On the transfer fee

"When you see the fees being paid by Middlesbrough, £15m for (Britt) Assombalonga, I would say he is worth a punt. United were in a strong position with him contractually, there was no feeling that he would leave whatever, they had to get their valuation. You look what else is around and he is a player about to go into his prime. I think the fee is one all sides can be happy with."

On his character

"He is quite reserved really. He is one that gets his head down and trains. I suspect I have interviewed him a dozen times but don't feel like I know him that well - he keeps himself to himself quite a bit. He is not unfriendly, just quite reserved."