Dylan Levitt still retains elite aspirations despite calling time on his Manchester United career.
Levitt, 21, penned a two-year deal with Dundee United last week after a six-figure fee was struck between the sides.
The Wales international left the Red Devils in no doubt that he wanted to quit the club following 14 years at Old Trafford, despite United activating the option of a one-year extension in June.
And Levitt’s relief is palpable as he reflects on the swift switch, insisting it is time to ‘build a career’.
“I did expect Man United to extend my contract but then I just had to push to get out,” said Levitt.
“I wanted to be settled and sign permanently somewhere. Sometimes you’ve just got to move on and build a career, even if that means getting out.
“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. It’s down to me.”
Asked whether he held talks with the new boss at Old Trafford, Levitt laughed: “I spoke to Erik ten Hag when I was doing my medical tests down there. I spoke to him very briefly. It was a hello and goodbye!”
Levittmania
Indeed, Levitt’s arrival was almost impossible to keep under wraps, with the Tangerine faithful spotting him on the road to Tayside and, in one case, even travelling to the Fairmont Hotel — where talks were taking place — to check whether his vehicle was in the car park.
“I saw a few videos on Twitter,” he continued. “When I signed, I got loads of nice messages and got tagged in a lot of things.
“It was good to see and interact with the fans.
“The fans came up to Fairmont when I was in the middle of signing and getting photos taken. Then somebody saw me driving as well. It was crazy.
“That’s why I’ve signed here. I’m full of confidence after last season and I’m respected by the fans.”
European draw
As well as the lure of first-team football in a World Cup year, the draw of European football was a pivotal factor in Levitt’s return.
United will learn their potential opponents for the Europa Conference League third qualifying round on Monday and Levitt is relishing another taste of continental competition.
Levitt was a fresh-faced teenager in November 2019 when he turned out for Manchester United against Astana in MINUS-18 temperatures in Kazakhstan.
But he is keen to ensure Dundee United don’t freeze when the time comes.
“We all feel confident going into these games,” continued Levitt. “A few players haven’t played in Europe before and it’s a massive achievement.
“It’s two games and we will go all-out for it and see where it takes us.
“I played for Manchester United against Astana. It was a couple of years ago and I was quite young back then. To now be at a different team and do the same thing is another bonus.
“What do I remember about Astana? It was freezing! It was in November and we had to have the roof on. It was minus-18. Even with the roof on, it was still freezing.”
Qatar star
That is unlikely to be an issue in Qatar when the winter World Cup rolls around in November.
And Levitt’s desperation to be involved is palpable.
“That’s another reason I have come back: to get minutes before the World Cup and give myself the best chance to be in the squad,” he added.
“Rob Page [Wales manager] just wants us all to be playing at club level. You don’t want to be going into very tough international games against the best nations in the world and not have games under your belt.
“You’d be playing catch-up.”
Discussing the tantalising prospect of Wales’ first World Cup since 1958, he added: “We’ve had the Euros, but this is the biggest one. The whole nation is just overwhelmed.”
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