Makelele not Manchester bound, say Madrid

Real Madrid’s combative midfielder Claude Makelele has insisted he has no interest in signing for Manchester United.

Makelele had been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to the Barclaycard Premiership, with United said to be leading the chase.

But the Frenchman told Spanish newspaper Diario AS: “My representatives have not been speaking to Manchester United and I don’t want to play for Manchester United.”

Madrid’s director of sport Jorge Valdano also poured cold water on thoughts of any deal with United.

“He is not going to leave Madrid because he has a contract here until 2006,” he said.