Amadou Haidara has broken his silence regarding the rumours linking him with a move to favourite boyhood club Manchester United.
The 23-year-old RB Leipzig star is attracting interest from around Europe after some impressive performances from central midfield, not least in the Champions League.
Speculation about a move to United in January has been rife with interim boss Ralf Rangnick being the manager that brought him to his current club when he was in charge in 2019.
This was further fuelled when RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff recently revealed that Rangnick “loves” Haidara. He added that the Bundesliga club are looking to tie the wanted man down to a new contract.
And now, speaking to German media, Haidara said that he had been a follower of the Red Devils as a youngster and revered several club legends but seemed to throw cold water on a potential move to Old Trafford.
"Everyone had a favourite team as a kid. Mine was Manchester United," he told Bild .
"I was a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, I liked Paul Scholes, Patrice Evra, Edwin van der Sar, Anderson.
"But if you want to talk to me about rumours: I’m at Leipzig and I feel good."
Haidara then went on to voice his admiration for former boss Rangnick who bolstered his career after a serious injury.
He added: "Yes, Ralf plays a very big role in my career. Don’t forget, when Leipzig wanted to get me, I tore my cruciate ligament.
"But Ralf said that I should come anyway. I wouldn’t have expected that back then.
"I’m very grateful to him because he really wanted me and gave me great confidence as a coach in Leipzig.
"He later told me to stay with RB and trust that Julian Nagelsmann would make me better."
Haidara has played 17 times in all competitions for his club this season, scoring on three occasions. Leipzig failed to qualify from the Champions League group stage but will instead compete in the knockout rounds.
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