Fabio Coentrao: It would be 'an honour' to play for Manchester United

Fabio Coentrao has reignited speculation over a potential move to Manchester United, with the Real Madrid outcast admitting that it would be 'an honour' to play at Old Trafford.

Left-back Coentrao, 26, has been frequently linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years as his influence at the Santiago Bernabeu has declined.

Indeed, the Portuguese international came agonisingly close to completing a loan move to David Moyes' United on transfer deadline day in September 2013, only to see the deal scuppered after the paperwork was not completed in time.

Despite Manchester United, who lost long-serving left-back Patrice Evra to Juventus last year, partly addressing their defensive problems in the summer with the £27m capture of Luke Shaw from Southampton, fresh reports have surfaced suggesting that the club are still interested in Coentrao and will make a renewed attempt to sign him at the end of the season.

While it remains to be seen whether Louis van Gaal is serious about sanctioning such a transfer, it appears that the player has lost none of his enthusiasm.

"I already showed that interest in playing there [at Manchester United]. It's one of the best clubs in the world, a club that I admire a lot. It would be an honour to play there," he told O Jogo as reported by AS.

While a switch to Manchester United evidently still appeals to Coentrao, he also retains a strong affection for former club Benfica, and has not yet abandoned all hope of figuring more prominently in Madrid after making just three starts under Carlo Ancelotti in La Liga so far this season.

"Everyone knows that Benfica is my home," he continued. "I love Benfica and I have a special affection for the club, but I still have four more years on my contract at Madrid. I hope to have more minutes at Real Madrid and that the coach relies on me more, something that has not happened up to now."