Posted by Guardian on
SUPER Eagles' midfielder John Obi Mikel has urged Manchester United to allow him to choose which club he plays for.
SUPER Eagles' midfielder John Obi Mikel has urged Manchester United to allow him to choose which club he plays for.
BBC Five Live revealed that United has asked FIFA to consider sanctions against Chelsea, who they accuse of hijacking Mikel's move to Old Trafford.
But the 18-year-old's lawyer said in a statement: "Mikel is very concerned United have failed to accept his decision as to where he wants to play.
"Nor have they entered into any sort of constructive dialogue to resolve this."
The statement continued: "Mikel is caught in the middle of a dispute between Manchester United and Chelsea. He is intent that that should change.
"To be able to achieve his footballing dreams, he demands that matters are resolved quickly between those interested in his future.
"He has already put himself in the hands of the footballing authorities. He calls upon them to intervene.
"Whatever agenda the respective football clubs involved in this dispute have, they must not be allowed to damage Mikel's career."
United and Chelsea have been battling over the 18-year-old since April 2005.
Mikel signed a deal with United from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo but later said he had been forced to put pen-to-paper and wanted to join Chelsea.
It emerged on Monday that United and Lyn then wrote to FIFA, claiming that agents acting on behalf of Chelsea attempted to induce the player to breach agreements he had made.
They want FIFA to consider imposing a transfer ban on the Blues as well as barring them from certain tournaments.
But Chelsea hit back at the claims, saying they were "without foundation".