Nani Staying Put

Sir Alex Ferguson has quashed speculation suggesting Nani will be sold during the January transfer window.

The winger is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury which led some reports to conclude that he had already played his last game for the club after failing to agree terms in the summer on a new contract.

However, the manager has stressed talk of the former Sporting Lisbon star leaving is wide of the mark as he looks forward to welcoming the talented wide man back into the fold in 2013.

"He’s injured," stated Sir Alex. "His contract’s not up for a year and a half.

"We need a Nani. He offers something different from the other players. He’s an incredible talent, the boy's a great talent. Unfortunately, he’s injured at the moment so we sent him over to Dubai for a break and hoping a bit of warmth will help him in his recovery.

"He’s not far away but he’s far enough away. I don’t think I’ll get him back until probably the middle of January. It’s a hamstring injury he’s got. A player like Nani has never had a hamstring injury ever – I don’t think he’s ever had many injuries with us. But he’s got it right in the top and it’s a bad one."

When asked if Nani has a future at Old Trafford, the boss replied: "Yes. Absolutely. Why would I want to let him go?

"Obviously his people have been negotiating with [chief executive] David [Gill] about a new contract but I don’t know what stage we are at with that. But we won’t be letting him go."

Sir Alex was also quick to refute reports that a deal has already been agreed to bring Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski to the club at the end of the season.

"It's nonsense," he asserted. "Absolute nonsense."