Thiago’s going nowhere, United told

BAYERN Munich have ‘never once articulated the thought’ of selling Thiago Alcantara to United, according to the club’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

United have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old in recent days but it seems a bit of a long shot given that they have already spent big on Fred this summer and have seven midfielders battling it out for just three positions in the middle of the park.

Following the signings of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant, Jose Mourinho has prioritised signing a centre-back and forward but executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward only has 15 days to get any deal over the line.

Thiago does have previous with United, though, and David de Gea wrote a message on his match ball encouraging him to join him at Old Trafford after Spain beat Italy in the UEFA European under-21 championship final in 2013.

Bayern have repeatedly insisted they are planning for the new season with Spaniard in the team and Rummenigge’s latest comments certainly reflect that.

“Thiago is an important player for us and we have never once articulated the thought that he should leave the club,” he told Abendzeitung. There has never been anything to the story whatsoever.” Thiago currently hast three years left on his contract at the Allianz Arena.

Meanwhile, Anthony Martial has been given permission by Mourinho to fly home from United’s Los Angeles training camp to be with his pregnant partner.

His girlfriend, 26-year-old Melanie Da Cruz, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child. It comes as bad timing for Mourinho amid speculation Martial wants to leave Old Trafford.