ALTRINCHAM have signed former Manchester United midfielder Sam Hewson on a free transfer.

The 21-year-old, who was released by the Red Devils in June, had recently been on trial at Grimsby Town and played in the Reserves 1-0 defeat to Lincoln City.

But a deal wasn't struck to add him to Neil Woods' ranks and he has now agreed to sign for Town's Blue Square Bet Premier rivals from Cheshire.

Woods admitted earlier this week no move to sign the ex-United Youth skipper was imminent as he looked at other options in midfield.