Former Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis is delighted hearing his old club are watching Zenit St Petersburg defender Nuraly Alip.

The Kazakhstan international, 23, was checked on by United scouts in their international with Slovenia this week.

Kanchelskis told Sport-Express: "If this transfer 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 is the popularisation of football.

"This will be an important moment both for him and for the Kazakh children who love to play football.

"Let's hope he can play there. But it depends only on him. We will worry and root for him."