I quit Old Trafford to chase dream at Tannadice

DYLAN LEVITT feels he had to leave Manchester United to realise his dream of playing at an elite level. The 21-year-old midfielder has signed a two-year deal with Dundee United having spent last season on loan at Tannadice. The Welsh international received a one-year contract extension when he returned to Old Trafford at the end of last season, but insists he signed on fully aware he had no future there. With hopes of playing at this year’s World Cup at stake, he was delighted when the Tangerines swooped with a £300,000 offer last week. He said: ‘Can I get back to the elite level? I’m hoping so. Coming here, it’s a massive step in my career and an opportunity to showcase what I can do this season and the season after that. It’s about building a career after being at United for 14 years. It’s down to me now. I want to be at a team where I’m here to stay, and not loaned out here, there and everywhere. I expected them to extend my contract but then I just had to push to get out of there. Sometimes, you’ve just got to move on and build a career.’ Levitt already has 12 caps and was a keen spectator when Wales beat Ukraine to qualify for Qatar. However, he hopes to be on the plane to the Middle East in November. ‘That’s another reason I have come — to get minutes before the World Cup and give myself the best chance to be in the squad,’ stated Levitt. ‘Rob Page wants us all to be playing at club level. You don’t want to be going in against the best nations in the world and not have games for your club under your belt. ‘The World Cup is massive for Wales. With the players we’ve got, we’ve kind of been missing a major tournament.’ Levitt hobbled off during yesterday’s friendly defeat to Port Vale after a bad foul by Tommy McDermott with manager Jack Ross hoping the injury isn’t too serious. ‘It was an impact injury,’ said Ross. ‘Hopefully, he’ll be okay for Saturday (friendly at home to Sunderland) but it’s a bit early to tell.’

United are set to sign Australian goalkeeper Mark Birighitti, 31, from Central Coast Mariners following the departure of Benjamin Siegrist to Celtic.