DYLAN’S UNITED FRONT
On-loan Levitt hopes Tannadice form earns him new deal at Old Trafford
DYLAn LEVITT’S contract at Manchester United runs out this summer, leaving the midfielder unsure whether he will be offered an extension. However, the Welsh international is doing everything in his power to secure a new deal with his stand-out performances on loan at Dundee United.
The 21-year-old scored what proved to be the winner with the only goal of the game against Motherwell on Saturday, his second in successive matches and his fifth in total since joining in August.
Levitt also showed maturity beyond his years, pulling the strings for Tam Courts’ side in a man-of-the-match display.
Manchester United will have a new manager in place come the end of the season when Erik Ten Hag joins from Ajax — and Levitt admits he would love to be given the chance to work with someone who has a proven track record of developing young talent.
With United in pole position to secure a Europa Conference League place, there is even a chance the two clubs could meet in that competition, something which would delight the playmaker.
‘It would be good to come back here, but I’ll have to see what happens next season,’ said Levitt. ‘The talks should be in the next couple of weeks... I haven’t heard anything yet.
‘I have team-mates there who are still training with the first team every day.
‘I think everyone is very excited to see what the new manager brings. We have seen what he has done with Ajax in the Champions League. It is very interesting and exciting.
‘Obviously, the players he has had like Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, it’s massive and a big part of how he wants to manage, giving young players a chance.’
Levitt was pleased to score for the second game in a row but admitted his latest strike was even sweeter as it resulted in a victory, unlike his fine solo effort in last week's 3-2 defeat to Hearts. 'That was a great goal but this one felt a bit more special because we got the win as well,' added Levitt. am delighted to get two in two — it is the first time and hopefully there are more to come.' United now sit three points in front of fifth-placed Ross County and four ahead of Motherwell, with Levitt acknowledging they are in a good position to savour European football again for the first time in ten years. Levitt said: 'It was a massive three points and other results went our way a bit. But the focus is on us for the next three games and hopefully we can get a couple of wins at least.' The Steelmen struck the woodwork twice at Tannadice through Ross Tiemey's curling shot and Kaiyne Woolery's drive before United took a 37th-minute lead after some intricate one-touch passing. Archie Meekison played his part with a brilliant back-heel flick before Tony Watt found Marc McNulty, who fed Levitt. His shot looped over Liam Kelly thanks to a deflection off Motherwell's Jake Carroll. The visitors came close to equalising late on through Ricki Lamie and Tiemey, the latter denied by a superb Benjamin
Siegrist save, but Levitt’s goal proved to be the difference. The United fans have really taken him to heart and have even adapted Belinda Carlisle’s ’80s hit Heaven Is a Place on Earth to ‘Dylan Levitt Is The Best On Earth’ — and they were in full voice as he netted.
‘I love hearing the fans singing it,’ added Levitt. ‘It is every boy’s dream to have the fans make a song about you. It is really good to hear.’
Motherwell travel to Dingwall for a crunch clash with Ross County next week before games against Hearts and Celtic conclude the campaign.
It is a daunting run-in but Irish attacker Tierney (right) insists his team-mates can handle the pressure and keep their European ambitions alive.
‘There is pressure on every game as a professional footballer because that is our job,’ said the 21-year-old. ‘That is why we love the game and the pressure.
‘We are not looking too far. We have three games left and we know if we can get results we can finish where we want to finish.’
Having hit the woodwork and been denied late on by the cat-like reactions of Siegrist, Tierney had more reason than most to be deflated ahead of the journey home from Tayside. ‘Yes, we are very disappointed not to get the win,’ he added. ‘But people can see we are still creating chances and on another day we could have scored one or two.’