Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says new signing Nemanja Matic needs time but experience will help him.
The Serbian made his official debut for the Red Devils during their 2-1 win against Sampdoria on Wednesday night.
He is expected to start on the bench when Mourinho's men take on Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in Macedonia next Tuesday.
"A lonely pre-season is always a lonely pre-season," Mourinho said on Wednesday.
"A player can be professional and work hard but football is collective and when you train alone, you train just a part of what you are as a player.
"The way he plays, he uses his brain but of course he needs physicality to be on top of his game. So he needs time but his experience, intelligence and genius in the way he thinks about football will help him to be ready sooner rather than later.
"That's why he coped well with 45 minutes today. He makes everything so simple and is fantastic in his position."
On transfers he added: "The squad is good and as I said a few months ago, I was hoping for four players to improve the squad.
"The club did a fantastic job by getting three of them, which is very difficult in the crazy market we're in now. I thank the club. I'll be happier if they give me four of four but they did a great effort."
