Jurgen Locadia's long-term goal is to play for Manchester United.

He supported them when he was younger and fellow countryman Ruud van Nistelrooy was a hero at Old Trafford.

Albion's visit tomorrow coincides with the first anniversary of Locadia signing for Albion from PSV Eindhoven.

He has never been in a better place than he is now during a difficult first 12 months with the Seagulls.

The dream of ending up playing one day for United looks less far-fetched than at any other stage during his debut year at the Amex.

It has been a battle for Locadia against injuries and competition for forward places since his £14 million capture in the previous January transfer window.

He arrived with hamstring trouble and during a purple patch for Glenn Murray.

He did not make an appearance until mid-February, when fans were given a glimpse of his powers.

The Argus: Locadia scored 15 minutes into his debut against Coventry in the FA Cup (above). It took him only eight minutes to make his mark in the Premier League as a goal scoring substitute against Swansea.

Outings remained sporadic as he settled in, including a rare start at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-final exit at Old Trafford in March.

Hopes of a good pre-season to kick-start his Albion career were dashed by another injury.

With Murray scoring regularly again and summer signing Florin Andone on his way back from his own injury problems, the outlook seemed bleak for Locadia.

A story surfaced back home in Holland during the November international break hinting at an exit in the current transfer window.

Manager Chris Hughton said the "comments he made or what he thinks was taken out of proportion. That doesn't escape the fact that he would like to play more."

The breakthrough for Locadia, longing for more opportunities, came before Christmas at Bournemouth.

Hughton switched from his tried and trusted 4-4-1-1 system to 4-3-3, with Locadia on the left, a role and formation familiar to the 25-year-old from his time at PSV where he scored goals regularly and provided assists.

The Argus: Locadia has not looked back. He was on target in the draw against Arsenal on Boxing Day, again at home to Everton (above) three days later to secure a valuable victory.

He has continued to perform to a level which will guarantee a seventh start in succession at Old Trafford tomorrow.

The situation is a lot more encouraging for Locadia now than when he made a brief late appearance from the bench in the 3-2 win over United at the Amex in August.

He said of his year-long fight to establish himself: "I won't lie, it was difficult. You go training every day but know you are unlikely to play, so it's hard to accept that feeling.

"But I always kept those feelings to myself and always worked hard on the training pitch, in the gym, and remained totally professional to ensure I was always ready to play.

"I feel I've grown up since coming here and certainly my attitude has changed compared to when I was at PSV.

"There were times when I didn't play there too but I would let my feelings be known to the coach and didn't always conduct myself as well as I should have done, but I've changed a lot since those days - I think I've grown up a lot.

"It's crazy how life works and how football works. Things can turn around so quickly and at the moment things have fallen my way."

Team-mates are not surprised by Locadia's rise to prominence.

Lewis Dunk, who will lead the team out against United, said: "We've seen it in training, what a player he is, and it's a massive boost and shows what a deep squad we have now.

"When you work hard you get opportunities and he's taken his with both hands."

Another awaits tomorrow against his other favourite club.