I've always liked Manchester United – Witsel

The 26-year-old says he could see himself following Belgium team-mates Eden Hazard and Marouane Fellaini to England but insists he has heard nothing about a January move


Axel Witsel insists he wants to play at “one of the top clubs in Europe one day” – while revealing he has liked Manchester United since he was a child.

Having joined Zenit St Petersburg from Benfica in a €40 million deal in September 2012, Witsel has two-and-a-half years left to run on his current contract at the Petrovsky Stadium.

But reports have continued to link the 26-year-old midfielder with a move to the Premier League, where Belgium international team-mates Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Marouane Fellaini are already established with top clubs.

While he refuses to rule out a potential move elsewhere in Europe, Witsel admits he could see himself going to England in the future and says he has harboured a long-standing affection for United.

“I want to play in one of the top clubs in Europe one day,” he told Bleacher Report. “It’s true that I like the Premier League, because it is one of the best leagues in the world, for me, together with Germany and Spain.

“It is a very good league; it is a crazy league. A lot of my colleagues play there, but we will see. I am still young, only 26. We’ll see in the future. I have always liked Manchester United from when I was young.”

There has even been speculation that Witsel could leave Zenit in January, but the midfielder insists he has heard nothing and remains fully committed to the Russian giants.

“These rumours are in the newspapers,” he added. “I don’t know anything about it. I am here in Qatar, training to be focused on my team, Zenit, and to try to regain a good physical condition.

“Even during the holidays, I did not think about leaving. I am focused.”

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