United battle to quell van Nistelrooy rumours

Manchester United have moved quickly to stamp on a fresh wave of speculation suggesting Ruud van Nistelrooy could be on his way to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Manchester United have moved quickly to stamp on a fresh wave of speculation suggesting Ruud van Nistelrooy could be on his way to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Newspaper reports on Thursday claimed van Nistelrooy's agent Rodger Linse had held talks with the Spanish giants.

Linse has denied any contacts, the striker himself has insisted he is happy at Old Trafford and United insist they would not sell their leading scorer at any price.

"Ruud is not for sale," a United spokesman reiterated on Thursday.

"We have said this consistently, so I don't know what more we can do. He signed a new contract in January and has said himself over the last few days that he wants to stay with the club."

Van Nistelrooy made similar remarks last week. "What can I do?" he said.

"I signed a contract here showing that I don't want to leave but still people write stories.

"It doesn't matter what people say. I am staying here, I am not going anywhere and I'm optimistic about the future."

However emphatic the statements, United fans are bound to be a little concerned that something is afoot given the way David Beckham's sale to Real last year was preceded by similar denials from all concerned.

Van Nistelrooy's absence from the United team beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on Saturday -- officially due to a thigh strain -- was followed by reports he had been left out because of a training ground bust-up with young French winger David Bellion.