RB Leipzig star Konrad Laimer has insisted it will be him, and not others, who decide his future amid interest from Manchester United.
Laimer has bounced back from an injury-hit campaign last year to be one of the stars of the show for Leipzig this season, with give goals and six assists in 39 games in all competitions so far.
That has reportedly ramped up interest in the 24-year-old, with Manchester United thought to be looking at a move as they plan their rebuild under Erik ten Hag this summer.
They have an inside track on the player courtesy of Ralf Rangnick, who was RB Leipzig manager the year after Laimer arrived from Red Bull Salzburg and handed the Austrian 43 appearances across the 2018/19 campaign.
That’s a relationship Manchester United could use to their advantage, but Laimer insists he won’t be listening to outside voices when it comes to his future.
“As of now, I’m playing for RB Leipzig. My contract runs until 2023,” he told SportBILD.
“It doesn’t make sense to talk about it in the current, decisive phase of the season. Otherwise, there would only be unrest, and I’d have to worry about things that aren’t the most important thing right now.
“I’ll be 25 in May and have enough experience to make such decisions clearly. I need a good feeling.
“I have to like what people tell me. It’s about the plan with me and with the team, and of course, also about goals. If I’m convinced of that, I’ll do it.
“Every player and every situation is different. What happened to one player doesn’t necessarily happen to the other. Sometimes it also depends on what type of player you are, and what makes you tick.
While Laimer may not end up linking up with Rangnick at Manchester United, the duo are destined to work together regardless.
That’s because Rangnick has recently been appointed as Austria’s new manager, a job he is set to take up in the summer when he steps back from his interim manager role at Old Trafford.
From that point, he’ll be playing a dual role as a consultant at Manchester United and Austria boss, although the latter is likely to take up the majority of his time.
While some have questioned that decision, particularly those with a United affiliation, it seems Laimer is excited about linking up with his former boss once more.
“I’m very happy that he’s going to be our coach,” he added.
“I know him well, I know what he can do, and I’m sure he can make us better as a team and each individual.
“I am confident that we will have very successful years together, and I am looking forward to seeing him again in the summer at our next training course as ÖFB coach.”
