A MANCHESTER UNITED legend has urged the club to sign a KAZAKHSTAN international and says a potential transfer would make him “very happy”.
Sir Alex Ferguson raised eyebrows when he signed the then unknown Andrei Kanchelskis from Shakhtar Donetsk back in 1991 for £650,000.
The former Russian winger went on to play 123 Premier League matches for the Red Devils, scoring 28 goals, throughout his four-year stay.
He helped United to end their long title drought and won it again the following year as well as lifting both the FA Cup and League Cup before departing Old Trafford for Everton in 1995.
However, amid the club’s struggles this term, Kanchelskis believes the potential arrival of another lesser-known ace from the Eastern Bloc could be a masterstroke for current boss Erik ten Hag.
Only this player is a defender for a country that is currently listed by Fifa as 98th in the latest world rankings.
And any transfer deal would also make history with the ace becoming the first Kazakhstani ever to play in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old Nuraly Alip has impressed for Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg ever since his arrival last year from Kairat in his homeland.
That has led to recent speculation that United, who are looking to bolster their centre-back department, sent scouts to watch him in action for his country against Slovenia on Monday.
Kanchelskis has seen plenty of Alip during his time at the Russian champions, and he would certainly provide him with a glowing recommendation should United seek his opinion on whether to make a swoop.
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Kanchelskis told Sport Express: “If this move happens, I will be very happy.
“This will be a big step forward for the football player. This is progress. A new football world.
“It will be a big plus for the entire Kazakh football if Alip plays for Manchester United.
“This will be an important moment both for him and for the Kazakh children who love to play football.”
Kanchelskis added: “Let’s hope he can play there. But it depends only on him. We will support and root for him.”
Alip, who plays as a left-sided centre-halve, was unable to stop his country from slipping to a 2-1 defeat in Slovenia.
And his representatives from the Player Career Management group have recently moved to play down reports of a transfer to England.
They said: “Nobody contacted the agency – the rest is on the conscience of the authors.
“The player belongs to Zenit and is currently focused on helping the club win the championship.”
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