Akinfeev relishing Old Trafford test

CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has distanced himself from sepculation linking him with a move to Manchester United, but admitted he can't wait to grace the "legendary" Old Trafford turf when the sides meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.

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Igor Akinfeev is relishing the prospect of playing at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old has been widely touted as a potential replacement for Edwin van der Sar when the United number one retires, but he was keen to turn the focus away from hismelf and onto the team.

"I have heard the speculation but it is just talk, nothing else,'' he said. "I cannot look at this match from a personal perspective.

But Akinfeev did not deny that the clash with Sir Alex Ferguson's side at Old Trafford would be one of the biggest occasions he has experienced as a footballer.

"The career of every footballer grows from such games," he said. "We are playing a legendary team in a legendary stadium. It will be an inspirational game, the most important in our careers.''

It will be new CSKA boss Leonid Slutski's first European match at the helm following his appointment in place of Juande Ramos on a three-year contract last week.

He arrives with a growing reputation, having built on his work at FC Moscow by guiding FC Krylya to sixth spot and a European spot for the first time in their history last season. That was an impressive feat but an if he achieves an unlikely victory over the English champions, he would be able to boast an even greater achievement.