Amadou Haidara admits he was a Man Utd fan as a kid and has hailed the influence Ralf Rangnick has had on his career.
The Mali international moved to RB Leipzig in 2019 from sister club RB Salzburg and has now made 95 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit.
With Paul Pogba likely to leave on a free transfer in the summer window, the Red Devils are on the lookout for new midfielders with a number linked.
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The Daily Mail reported in late November that Rangnick wanted to sign Haidara as he knows the player well from his time at Leipzig.
The fact Haidara ‘is well versed in Rangnick’s methods’ could mean that he jumps to the front of the queue if Man Utd look to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window.
And Haidara has revealed the role Rangnick played in getting him to move to Leipzig despite suffering a serious injury.
Haidara told Sport Bild (via Sport Witness): “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,” he said.
“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.”
On those rumours linking him with Man Utd, Haidara said: “Everyone had a favorite team as a kid. Mine was Manchester United. 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.”
Meanwhile, Man Utd defender Victor Lindelof is underdoing investigations into the cause of the breathing difficulties he suffered on Saturday but it is not believed to be related to the Covid-19 outbreak at the club.
Lindelof was substituted in the 74th minute of United’s 1-0 win over Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday evening after struggling to catch his breath.
In a statement on Tuesday, United said: “Victor is currently undergoing a series of precautionary investigations. He has recovered well from the episode he experienced in the match against Norwich.
“All indications are that this is not linked to any Covid outbreak within the club.”
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