Manchester United offer for Barcelona star Neymar does not exist, insists agent

Neymar's agent has swiftly ended speculation suggesting Manchester United have launched a huge offer for the Barcelona forward.

On Friday 21 August The Sun claimed Louis van Gaal's side have made an audacious approach to sign the Brazil international. United's CEO Ed Woodward was in Barcelona this week, according to the Daily Mail, thought to be in talks to sign winger Pedro Rodriguez, who has since signed for Chelsea.

But the Sun claim that during those trips Woodward also made a 'discreet offer' for the 23-year-old Neymar.

The reports have been met with widespread scepticism however and Neymar's agent Wagner Ribeiro has been telling the Brazilian press there is absolutely no truth to such rumours.

"There is nothing," Ribeiro told Globo Esporte, as reported by Marca. "This is summer window speculation. It does not exist. He has three more years on his contract. The English newspapers are very speculative. Barcelona never think about selling Neymar and he is very happy there."

United's attacking options struggled in their 0-0 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday 22 August where Wayne Rooney once again failed to find the back of the net. The England captain did see one goal chalked off following a close offside decision but was unable to come close after, extending his goalless run to 858 minutes.

Juan Mata and Javier Hernandez also spurned chances to give United what would have been their fourth consecutive win of the season but van Gaal insisted post-match the performance had no effect on his plans in the transfer market with 11 days of the window remaining.

"No, that I have said already because, as a fan, you have to see how we have played this match," van Gaal said via the club's official website. "The performance was good and the fans were always behind the players. It was a fantastic match to watch but we were unlucky. We have to score our chances and, in the next match, we shall score maybe a goal out of three chances and that is better. The performance today was better though."