STEVE McMahon swooped for a Manchester United defender this week -- and promised more signings to come.

Left back or left sided midfielder, Kirk Hilton, signed on Tuesday after a glowing recommendation from Sir Alex Ferguson, and McMahon hopes to beat a premiership side and two first division clubs to the signature of another player who was in talks earlier this week.

And the busy McMahon has a series of other meetings to come this week as he seeks a goalkeeper, striker, central midfielder and wide players on the left and right, as well as a central defender.

"I had a conversation with Sir Alex after the season finished about loan players and he told me Kirk was going to be available permanently," McMahon revealed.

"He was competing with Silvestre for a place in the United first team, but then he had a pelvic injury which knocked him back 18 months to two years.

"Manchester United have some of the best players in Europe, so it's no slight on Kirk that he's not in their first team.

"He's an exciting footballer who is going to excite the crowds and, hopefully, excite me."

Hilton, 22, was picked up by United scouts at the age of just eight and came through the youth set up at the same time as current Pool ace, Richie Wellens.

He spent six months on loan to United's Belgian feeder club, Royal Antwerp as an 18-year-old, helping them to promotion and also had a brief spell with Livingston last season.

"It's difficult to leave," said Hilton this week: "But I need first team football to further my career.

"I played in the same youth team as Richie, and that's why I realised that Blackpool were a good footballing team. I'm hoping to help them get into the play-offs this year and see where it goes from there."

McMahon says he hopes to sign other youngster from premiership sides, but added: "I'm also going to add a bit of experience, a bit of quality. It's up to me to persuade a couple of those players to sign for us."

The Seasiders hope to make three or four signings early in the summer, then weigh up the players who are available as the season approaches.

McMahon said he had spoken to another player on Monday, adding: "I don't know how far that will take us -- a premier league club and two first division clubs are interested in him. I'm just hoping that we can win the race to sign him."

He also confirmed his interest in free agent, Colin Hendry.

"I spoke to Colin at the end of the season and told him to get in touch," said McMahon: "He's got all summer to think about it. When he wants to speak, we will have talks."

The likes of Peter Clarke and Mike Sheron have also been strongly linked with the club.