Amadou Haidara has named Manchester United as his ‘favourite’ team and has praised Ralf Rangnick’s influence on his career amid transfer links to the Premier League.
The RB Leipzig midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester United during the January transfer window, with the 23-year-old understood to possess a release clause of £33m in his contract at the Bundesliga side.
Haidara has discussed the influence now Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick had on his early career, expressing his gratitude to the German for the faith he showed in his ability.
“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 told SportBild.
“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 also fuelled speculation over a potential move to Old Trafford, admitting the Premier League side were his ‘favourite team’ when growing up and citing Cristiano Ronaldo amongst the players he admired.
“Everyone had a favourite 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.”
