Summer signing El-Mhanni swept home United's second goal in their 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at St. James' Park on Monday night.

And afterwards, the former Lewes youngster told nufc.co.uk of his determination to continue to impress as a creative force for the Magpies' second string.

"This is good, but not good enough - I need to do more," said the 21-year-old.

"This is the first time I've been in a professional environment, so I really need to take it seriously and hold on to it, because this is what I've been dreaming of all my life. Now that I'm here, I really need to take this opportunity with both hands.

"I need to add goals and assists, and if I can do that, I might have a good future here.

"I definitely need to create opportunities, because as an attacking player, you get judged on how many goals and how many assists you get - it's not about how many players you beat or how well you perform, it's all about goals and assists. That's the most important thing, so I need to keep providing that."

Monday night's Premier League 2 Division Two encounter was the first chance El-Mhanni has had to play at St. James' Park since his arrival in July.

And the Chelsea-born winger said it was the perfect setting in which to open his account in black and white.

"I'm very happy. It was extraordinary to be at St. James' Park and play, and I'm really happy that I got a goal as well to top off my performance. I turned round to the boys and I was like 'I've got a goal, finally!'" he laughed.

"It was unreal, and even though there wasn't a massive crowd, it was great. I was just looking to be myself and express myself out there.

"We got a really good start and we got on the ball a lot, so that was good. The second half wasn't as great, but we managed the game so it was all right in the end."El-Mhanni's start to the campaign was disrupted by two sports hernias, which kept him out of action until September.

Now he's back to full fitness and beginning to find form, he says that he's "desperate" to hang on to his place in Peter Beardsley's side.

"I'm definitely trying to make my presence felt, because I've been out for a while and the team's been doing well. I've tried to come in and show I'm capable of playing in this team," said El-Mhanni.

"I'm desperate to hang on to the shirt, and I hope I will if I continue to perform well and score goals.

"I think the injury held me back a bit, but now that I'm injury-free I just have to go forward, carry on improving and listening to the coaches."