Loan ranger De Laet out to prove a point to Fergie at Norwich

Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley might be proving that there is life at Old Trafford after leaving Manchester United on loan, but Ritchie De Laet knows he has his work cut out to impress Sir Alex Ferguson during his spell at Norwich.

The Belgian defender, who made just three Premier League appearances for United following a surprise move from Stoke in January 2009, had a rude awakening on his return to the top-flight as the newly-promoted Canaries drew their first game 1-1 at Wigan.

That's Ritch: De Laet challenges Wigan's Victor Moses 

De Laet conceded the penalty that enabled Ben Watson to fire Wigan ahead when he was robbed by Franco Di Santo on halfway and then brought down the Argentine striker.

The 22-year-old made amends with two late goal-line blocks to deny Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega after Wes Hoolahan had equalised for Norwich, but De Laet realises he cannot afford to make many more errors like that one with Paul Lambert's side already facing an uphill battle.

'I don't know if it was a penalty or not but it was a mistake and that's not going to happen again, you can be sure of that,' he said. 'Hopefully I did well in the end. 'It's the quality of the strikers at this level. They go 100 miles per hour, they're quick and they're strong, so if you make a mistake it's a goal or, like today, a penalty.'

De Laet played on loan for three Championship clubs – Sheffield United, Preston and Portsmouth – last season before United allowed him to join Norwich for the new campaign.

But while Welbeck and Cleverley are now flourishing in the first-team at Old Trafford after going out on loan, De Laet knows the arrival of England Under-21 defender Phil Jones for £16.5million this summer has only increased the competition for places as he tries to convince Ferguson and his scouts that he has a future at the club.

Error of judgement: De Laet gives away a penalty

'It's something I'm looking for but I want to do well for Norwich this season,' added De Laet. 'I don't want to think about next year or the year after. It's far away. What happens at United happens.

'You've got to do well on loan. I made that mistake but I can make up for it throughout the season and see what happens.

'United play the same teams and against the same players, and if I can produce good performances against those players then United know I can handle them.

'Sir Alex Ferguson just wished me all the best for the season, and told me to try and do well for Norwich and well for myself.

'United aren't going to tell me when they're going to come and watch a game but I think that's their aim. They'll send out some scouts, see how I do, and if I go back next year then we'll go from there.'

De Laet also hopes his cause will be helped by joining a team who like to play attractive football. Norwich looked more comfortable on the ball for long periods and would not have been flattered by a win.

De Laet believes it has sent out a message to those people predicting a swift return to the Championship for the Canaries.

He said: 'Hopefully we've showed that we can play football and we're not going to change because we're in the Premier League now.

'We want to get the ball down and play football. We've got the players to do that and the strikers who can score goals.

'Wigan didn't too well last season themselves and want to do well this year, so it's always hard to come away from home in the Premier League. I hope we've proven today that we can handle it.'