Van Nistelrooy rejects Barca speculation

Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the Manchester United striker, has dismissed rumours that he is set to sign for Barcelona.

Van Nistelrooy was last week linked with a move to Barça following claims that his agent had held talks with the Spanish club's board. However, the Dutch striker said yesterday: "I thought long and hard about the implications of signing a new four-year contract at United and I have no regrets whatsoever.

"I have said so many times in the past that I would be happy to see out the best days of my career at this club and nothing has changed. So to suggest that I want to leave is ludicrous - I don't know where these stories are coming from.

"I have no desire to go to Italy or Spain," Van Nistelrooy added. "I don't care when I read in the newspaper that I am going to Real Madrid or Barcelona after this season. It's all total rubbish."

Another player unlikely to leave Old Trafford - for Celtic, at least - is Roy Keane, despite the United midfielder's stated desire to play for the Scottish champions. The Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill, said "The opportunity is pretty remote. I'm not so sure Roy Keane would want to leave Man United when next year will be a big one for them in trying to win the English title back from Arsenal."

Meanwhile, defender Patrick Collins has spent the last week training with Celtic after being told he can leave Sunderland.