Ramos is “using” United

Sergio Ramos is “using” Manchester United to get a better contract at Real Madrid, according to the London Evening Standard’s Simon Johnson.

The Spanish defender, who has played over 400 times for Real Madrid since joining from Sevilla 1o years ago, has been linked with a move to United as part of the deal that looks set to take David De Gea back to the Spanish capital.

On Sunday afternoon, the Guardian claimed United had told Real Madrid that they wanted Ramos included in the negotiations for the 24-year-old goalkeeper, while reports on Monday indicated that Louis Van Gaal might have to pay up to £46.5m for the 29-year-old, whose contract with Real Madrid expires in 2017.

However, speaking to talkSPORT, Johnson suggested Ramos might be the latest of a number of players using United’s interest simply to secure an improved contract at his current club.

“I would say a word of warning. Sergio Ramos, I think, on an annual basis, gets linked with a move to the Premier League and he always ends up staying,” he said.

“The fact he has got two years left on his contract and the phrase underappreciated has come out means I’d take it with a pinch of salt.

“While Manchester United are clearly looking for a centre-half I wouldn’t be surprised if they were just being used so he can get another deal at the Bernabeu.”

Earlier this month, Barcelona’s right-back Dani Alves signed a new two-year deal with the European champions, despite having been linked with a move to United this summer, while