- Premier League
Kroos: 'United never an issue'
Toni Kroos says he never had any intention of leaving Bayern Munich for Manchester United this summer.
The midfielder was a key target for the fallen Premier League side and they believed they had made significant progress in trying to sign him only this week.
However, as Bayern said they would not be held to ransom by Kroos over a new contract, United unexpectedly dropped their interest in him.
"I am expecting to play for Bayern Munich next season," Kroos, whose Bayern deal expires next year, told Bild. "There was a lot of speculation, but Manchester is and was not an issue.
"At this point in time I am fully focused on preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup."
The Germany international will bring echoes for some United fans of last summer, when the club tried and failed to bring in several key targets after believing they were ready to sign.
Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas was notable among them and Ed Woodward has since been blamed, not least by Paul Scholes, who said the executive vice-chairman "has an awful lot to prove".