• Premier League

Sneijder cools United link

Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder has played down the latest round of rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United.

Sneijder was believed to be close to a move to Old Trafford in 2011 when he was at Inter Milan and, although he signed for Galatasaray on a three-and-a-half-year contract in January, speculation linking him with United has persisted.

Galatasaray sporting co-ordinator Bulunt Tulun had claimed in September that United had made an attempt to sign him in the summer, and in recent days the Guardian had reported that David Moyes was considering a fresh bid in January.

However, the 29-year-old, who scored the winning goal on Wednesday in a 1-0 win over Juventus that secured the Turkish side's progress in the Champions League, said he had no knowledge of any interest from United.

"I know nothing," he told NOS. "I know only as much as you do - just the reports in the newspapers, which seem to come out every time the transfer window is about to reopen.

"It's pretty annoying when you're playing in Turkey. The people here are very emotional and passionate about it all.

"I have no desire to have to justify myself to the people every time my name is in the media. I'm fine here and enjoying myself, and the fact that we progressed in the Champions League is great. I am happy here, but you never know for certain what will happen in football."

Chelsea have also been linked with Sneijder in recent months, with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal having urged him to make a move to Stamford Bridge to improve his form ahead of the World Cup.

Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini, meanwhile, was encouraged by Sneijder's performance after Wednesday's victory in Istanbul.

"Sneijder is in good condition," the Mancini said. "He did well and scored a great and important goal. That's what we want to see from him. Let's stop going on about his condition. He's fine."

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