RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara has sparked further speculation over a switch to Manchester United after conceding he was a Red Devils fan growing up.
The Mali international went one further and named five United stars he idolised during his time as a fan, leading to plenty of optimism from members of the United faithful a deal could be struck next month.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick will be at the helm for the January transfer window and is expected to bolster his midfield options given the inconsistent form of both Scott McTominay and Fred in the middle of the park.
There is every chance Rangnick could view Haidara as his ideal first signing in the Old Trafford hot-seat, given they already have a previous working relationship from the 63-year-old's time as RB Leipzig boss.
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Haidara has insisted that he feels good at the Bundesliga outfit, but left the door open for further rumours by admitting his past affections for United and their players.
"Everyone had a favourite team as a kid. Mine was Manchester United," Haidara told German outlet 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."
The midfielder did go on to address his past relationship with Rangnick, crediting the German for showing faith in him during the early stages of his career.
Signed at the tail end of Rangnick's Leipzig tenure, Haidara explained how United's new interim boss gave him 'great confidence'.
"Yes, Ralf plays a very big role in my career," Haidara added. "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."
United currently sit fifth in the Premier League table just one point behind fourth-placed West Ham with a favourable run of fixtures coming up providing the chance to build momentum.
The next time United face off with a fellow 'big-six' side will come on March 5, when Rangnick makes the short trip across the city to the Etihad for the first time to take on Man City in the second Manchester derby of the season.
