One of Manchester United’s reported transfer targets has broken his silence on rumours linking him with an Old Trafford move.
Manchester United are not set to make any senior signings this month following the sacking of Ruben Amorim as head coach.
The Reds need additional midfielders but are set to wait until the summer transfer window to address those issues.
Despite this, United’s recruitment team will be keeping an eye on young talent they can sign for the future at Old Trafford.
A deal for Ayden Heaven to join the club was agreed last January and that move has been a big success since then, with the teenager becoming a regular in the first-team at the club.
Another young player the Reds have been linked with is 17-year-old Kevin Filling, who has been shining in Sweden with AIK.
United transfer target breaks silence on Old Trafford rumours
Filling has been linked with clubs such as United and Borussia Dortmund for some time now but he is not letting it impact his game.
“I do not think about it that much,” the forward told Sportbladet. “There can be talk all the time. Whether it is true or not, I do not really know much about it. I focus on where I am right now and continue to look forward here.”
Asked if he’s constantly checking his phone, Filling added: “Haha, no, no. I’m just chilling with friends. It’s better than checking my phone.”
The striker did admit that he is aware of the speculation, but stressed that it does not influence his behaviour or planning. “Maybe I see a picture here and there, but it does not matter. It plays no role for me. I am where I am now, and that is how I am as a person.
“For some it might be difficult, but not especially for me. I am just like that as a person. I lock myself in a bit, do not think about it too much and just continue from there.”
Fletcher on United’s academy
There has been a lot of talk about the United academy in recent months, with ex-boss Amorim claiming that there were entitled players coming through.
Darren Fletcher’s message regarding the youth system was completely different, with the interim head coach saying: “I just think, historically, this club’s built around the Academy. We’ve got an amazing Academy. Our record speaks for itself.
“I’m not going to sit here and say anything other than that. We’ve got an amazing record. I think it’s hard to beat in terms of the history of clubs around the world. I think we’ve got some amazing players, some amazing talents.
“I think what I see is a lot of hard-working, humble young players, who aren’t perfect, because they’re young and they’re learning and they’ve got a lot to do.
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“I think we ask and expect too much of young people sometimes – in society and in general. And that’s not a criticism of anybody, that’s just my beliefs. I think we have to let them learn, educate them, help them, understand they’re going to make mistakes, and they’re going to do things that’ll frustrate you.
“But through time with good guidance of coaches, family members, players in the first-team squad, all of us play a part. That’s our role, that’s our jobs, of developing them to be Manchester United players and Manchester United people.”
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