Rafael eyes long United stay; Van Dijk happy at Celtic

Manchester United right-back  Rafael has revealed he hopes to stay at the club for the rest of his footballing career.

The Brazil international, 24, has had his fair share of moments of brilliance since joining United from Fluminense in 2008.

Rafael, whose current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, has started each of the Red Devils’ last two league matches, impressing at right-back in Van Gaal’s ‘new’ 4-4-2 (diamond) formation.

“I am glad I am still here, but sad because a lot of friends have left,” the Brazilian defender told United Uncovered. “I want to keep going and stay here forever, if possible.

“It depends on me to play well, I need to play well. I just want to stay here.

“I came here at 15-years-old so I have to say that I feel at home here.

“I can never say enough about this club. It is one of the best clubs in the world, if not the best in the world.”

At 24, Rafael has already won the English Premier League on three separate occasions (2008/09, 2010/11, 2012/13).

Van Dijk happy at Celtic

Celtic centre-back Virgil van Dijk has rubbished reports suggesting he asked to leave Parkhead during the summer transfer window, insisting he is happy in Glasgow.

According to reports, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman was contemplating a swoop for Van Dijk, but the Scottish Premier League giants were having absolutely none of that.

“It’s a compliment for me that the club wanted me to stay but I didn’t say literally I want to leave. Never,” Van Dijk said.

“If there was a chance to go and play Champions League somewhere else at that moment and it was a step forward then I might have considered it.

“But I never said, ‘I want to leave now.’ I am focused on Celtic and I am happy here.

“I never had any problem with the gaffer, he’s a good guy.

“I’m happy at Celtic and always will be. This is the club that gave me a chance and I’ve never had problems with anyone here.

“When everyone was saying I wanted to leave and were saying negative things about me it was disappointing.”

Despite claiming he is happy at Celtic, Van Dijk refused to confirm his intention of staying at the club for the long-term. In all likelihood, whether or not he will stay at Celtic Park will depend on the club qualifying the group stages of the UEFA Champions League next term.