Double transfer blow for United

MANCHESTER United have been dealt a double setback after being told Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos aren’t for sale.

United are short of forwards following the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao to Fenerbahce and Chelsea respectively.

Sources at the club denied United had made a £70million bid for Muller last week, but the German World Cup winner is a player Louis van Gaal would be interested in. According to Bayern chairman Karl–Heinz Rummenigge, Muller will not be leaving this summer.

“There are some players who just don’t have a price tag,” said Rummenigge, who has already lost Bastian Schweinsteiger to United this summer. “We would be out of our minds to sell Muller.”

United also look to be facing disappointment in their pursuit of Ramos. United are willing to swap David de Gea for the Spanish centre–back, who is at loggerheads with Madrid over a new contract.

But according to Rafael Benitez, his captain will not be leaving the club.

“I have a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal, but Sergio will be staying with us,” the Real Madrid manager said at a press conference in Australia prior to the team’s friendly against Manchester City.