The Lyon powerhouse has been attracting admiring glances from most of Europe's top clubs and helped the French champions storm into the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League when thrashing Werder Bremen over two legs.
Essien, who had a trial with United as a youngster, is being forwarded as a possible long-term replacement for Red Devils skipper Roy Keane.
"I know that [the press reports regarding interest from Premiership clubs], " he said
"But, for me, I don't think about that because I have left everything for my manager [agent].
"So I don't think about it and just concentrate on my football.
"I like Manchester. I know most of their players and like them, and would like to play one day in the Premier League.
"I'll be happy to play for Manchester but, at the moment, I'm in Lyon and I have to concentrate on that.
"I like Old Trafford because it's one of the nicest stadiums in Europe and, foremost, I like the coach [Sir Alex Ferguson] very well."
