Gabriel Heinze has ruled out talk of a move to Real Madrid and says he's staying at Manchester United. The Argentina World Cup star was linked with a £10million move to the Bernabeu earlier this week.

But Heinze says he's going nowhere because he wants to repay United for sticking by him after he missed most of last season with a cruciate ligament injury.

The news is a big boost for United, with the future of fellow Old Trafford stars Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo still in doubt.

Heinze told The Sun: "I'm settled in Manchester and haven't thought about leaving Old Trafford. I've heard about the interest in me from Spain and I'm proud to hear a club like Real Madrid are thinking of me.

"It's a great compliment and would make any professional happy."

Heinze suffered that serious knee injury in the 0-0 draw at Villarreal last September, and now says he owes Alex Ferguson for standing by him.

"United and the coach stood by me when I had a knee injury last season and couldn't play and, if they want me to continue, that is what I will do."