Rafael Van der Vaart has said that he would like to move to Manchester United if he is forced to leave Real Madrid.
Van der Vaart had previously expressed his wish to remain at the Spanish giants, but is not expected to feature regularly this season following the arrival of new manager José Mourinho and new signings such as Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Sergio Canales.
The Dutch midfielder believes that, because he would not join another club in Spain, United are the only club that would not represent a step down and he would relish the opportunity to play under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I could never play for another club in Spain and the truth is that if you are leaving Real Madrid, there is only one club you can join that is not a step down – and that’s Manchester United,” Van der Vaart is quoted as saying in English newspaper, The Daily Express.
“They are a huge club and if the reported interest they have in me turns out to be true, then I would really have to sit down and listen.
“If Manchester United could offer me first-team football with the situation as it is at Madrid, it would be very hard to turn down. Alex Ferguson is a great coach and I would never think about joining a team where I didn’t believe I could win things, so all of a sudden that limits your choices.
“At Manchester United you know success is likely and that’s a big factor for me at this stage of my career.
“If [Real boss] Jose Mourinho makes it clear I won’t play much, I see my future in English football.”
Van der Vaart had previously played for Ajax and Hamburg before joining Real Madrid in 2008 and has appeared 83 times for the Dutch national team.
