Bayern: Ballack not going to United

Roy Keane’s unexpected departure from Manchester United will not pave the way for Michael Ballack to leave Germany and move to Old Trafford, according to Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness.

Bayern withdrew their latest contract offer to Ballack this week, and then Keane left United by mutual consent on Friday, increasing speculation the Germany international will join the Red Devils in January.

When asked after Bayern’s 2-1 victory at Arminia Bielefeld how the loss off the 34-year-old Keane would impact contract talks with Ballack, Hoeness told ARD Television: “I know Manchester United will not buy Michael Ballack.”

Ballack has claimed he will not make a decision about his future before January.

At Bielefeld, a Ballack-less Bayern had two late Claudio Pizarro strikes to thank for a 2-1 win.

Coach Felix Magath insisted his troops were not dependant on their skipper, who sat out the match after sustaining a thigh injury in Germany’s friendly against France.

“It’s not a problem if he is not available for one match,” Magath said after the win.

“We have other players that can take his place.

“This one match doesn’t allow any conclusions about whether he is replaceable or not.”

Midfielder Sebastian Deisler admitted all the media speculation about Ballack’s future is starting to affect the squad.

He said: “(The talk) is fuelled from people outside who are trying to divide our team.

“Ballack is a superb player. We have played well with him and we have played well without him. We’ll see what happens.”