Udinese general director Pietro Leonardi has dismissed rumours linking midfielder Sulley Muntari with a move to Manchester United.

The 21-year-old has been been a regular in the side since arriving at Udinese in 2002, and played a pivotal role in their fourth-placed finish last season.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has followed the Ghana midfielder's progress since his fine performances in the 2001 African Under-20 Championships, but the Fruili club insist their player is going nowhere.

'I firmly deny these rumours,' said Leonardi. 'We have already confirmed he is in the squad.'