Athletic Bilbao star Fernando Llorente has told Sky Sports just how much he is looking forward to their clash with Manchester United.
Spanish ace ready for Old Trafford clash
Athletic Bilbao star Fernando Llorente has told
Sky Sports just how much he is looking forward to their clash with Manchester United.
Llorente will lead the line for Bilbao as they take on United in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash at Old Trafford.
Llorente even goes as far as to claim it will be one of the highlights of his career so far.
"This round against Manchester United will be a key moment in my sporting career so far. After the World Cup in 2010 and the Copa del Rey final coming up, this is the most important match ever for me," he told
Sky Sports.
"To play at Old Trafford is a dream challenge for any footballer and now I am dreaming of success on that pitch.
"Matches like this are a special test of my ability."
Llorente has long been linked with a move to England, but he admits he tires of this talk.
"People have said that my style is very English, now we will be able to test that," he said.
"I am tired of talking about my future, rumours about England and Spain, but I am calm and just focus on my play as anything else would damage my performance."
Favourites
Llorente admits that United are rightly considered favourites to progress.
"It is normal that people make Manchester United favourites, but we go to England with no fear," he admitted.
"We go to enjoy the game but also we are thinking about our mission which is to get a good result for the second leg at the San Mames.
"But to go up against the defenders of United will be about passion, to come up against Rio Ferdinand and to play against Ryan Giggs is unique."
Llorente is particularly looking forward to facing compatriot David de Gea, who he hopes will do well for United - but only after the Bilbao double-header.
"We know about De Gea, I will look for any door to try and score at Old Trafford - but I desire that David does triumph in the Premier League, just not against us," he said.
