Midfielder Jack King has expressed his delight after scoring for the first time as a United player in Saturday afternoon’s draw at Port Vale.
The summer signing broke the deadlock with a glancing effort into the far corner but Mark Robins’ men were pegged back at Vale Park as Ajay Leitch-Smith equalised right on half-time.
A constant downpour of rain meant playing conditions were difficult but King felt the 1-1 score line was a fair result.
He told The Iron PlayerHD: “It was tricky conditions out there and it had been raining all day.
“It was very soft under foot so credit to both teams. We both went for it and it was probably a fair result.
“It’s hard to read the bounce when the pitch is bobbly and there were big diverts out there, especially towards the end.
“When they had a bit of pressure late on, the lads threw their bodies on the line to deny them the win.
“You’ve got to be on your mettle in conditions like that so credit to the lads.”
King’s 36th minute opener was his first since arriving at Glanford Park in May and he now hopes to start contributing more regularly in the final third.
Whilst visibly thrilled to have found the net, the 30-year-old admitted it was however disappointing that it didn’t quite win the side all three points.
“It’s probably long overdue,” he stated.
“I’m playing in a bit of a different role and with the deeper lying midfield, sometimes I’m not able to get forward as much as I’d like.
“It’s obviously nice to get on the scoresheet but just a shame it wasn’t the winning goal.
“I’ve played in midfield throughout my career – not so much as the holding player but it’s the role I find myself in at the moment and I’ll play wherever the gaffer sees fit.
“That’s the same with all the lads. There’s a great attitude amongst the squad and a real willingness to improve.”
All focus now switches to Tuesday night’s Emirates FA Cup second round replay against Leyton Orient, with the victor knowing a tie away at Chelsea lies in store.
King believes there are plenty of positives to take from the result against Vale going into the Orient cup clash but stressed that the team will have to be right at it in order to progress.
He added: “This was definitely an improved performance but it was by no means the complete package.
“We did certain things right but obviously you’re going to make mistakes when the conditions are like that.
“Hopefully it will be a bit less blustery (on Tuesday), a better surface to play on and that should contribute towards a better game.
“We kept ourselves in the tie despite not playing well at Leyton Orient and hopefully that stands us in good stead.
“Both teams will know what the carrot is and we’ve got to be right at it to get the result we’re after.”
See much more from vice-captain Jack King, goalkeeper Luke Daniels and manager Mark Robins on The Iron PlayerHD.