Man United News: Rangnick's Former Favorite Player Addresses Transfer Rumors

A player no stranger to Ralf Rangnick is being linked to a move to Manchester United.

RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Hadaira has been reportedly on Manchester United’s radar as Rangnick heads to his first transfer window as Red Devils manager.

Hadaira played for Rangnick in German football and a reunion with his mentor at Old Trafford could be interesting, but according to the player himself, this is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

"Everyone had a favorite team as a kid, mine was Manchester United," he told German outlet Bild via Manchester Evening News. "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 rumors: I’m at Leipzig and I feel good."

Despite not being keen on joining Manchester United, Haidara went on to admit that he’s “grateful” to Rangnick for not turning his back on him when he was down.

"Yes, Ralf [Rangnick] plays a very big role in my career,” the 23-year-old revealed. “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 added. "He later told me to stay with RB and trust that Julian Nagelsmann would make me better."

Backing the midfielder’s story, RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff had recently revealed that Haidara was indeed a “player that Rangnick loves.”

“[Haidara] Doudou is one of my favorite players, I told him today," Mintzlaff said at a press conference. "He fits us perfectly. Of course, it is also a player that Ralf Rangnick loves. Nothing will burn for now."

Only time could tell whether Haidara will have a change of heart and decide to join Rangnick at Manchester United.

Until then, the “gegenpressing” master will be hoping to sign a worthy addition to his squad next month.

"My opinion on winter [January] transfers is clear: it needs to be a player who would improve the quality and help the team to get better," Rangnick explained. "So it needs to be a high-quality player no matter which area of the pitch."

"He also needs to have the right mentality, not just the right quality," the manager continued. "For this competitive league, we need the best possible mentality. He needs to be mature enough, he needs to have a winning mentality. For me, the mentality is more crucial in this league than any other in the world."