MADRID: Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid have confirmed, as expected, that the Spain defender will stay with the club after sealing a five-year contract extension.

Ramos, 29, had been linked with a move to Manchester United since the start of the transfer window ddespite scepticism in Spain that he had any serious intention of leaving the FIFA world club champions.

United had wanted the Spain centre-half as part of any deal for David De Gea and the Ramos announcement raises further question marks over the goalkeeper’s Old Trafford future.

The 24-year-old was again left out of the side at Aston Villa on Friday, with Louis van Gaal claiming he was “not eager to play”.

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