United dealt Bundesliga transfer blow

Manchester United have been dealt a transfer blow in their pursuit of Greek international defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

The 20-year-old Schalke star, who has 15-caps for his country, had been linked with a move to the Red Devils after a number of impressive performances in the Bundesliga.

However, Huub Stevens has managed to secure the services of the talented youngster for another four years, with Papadopoulos signing until 2016.

Another defensive injury crisis has struck Manchester United this season, with skipper Nemanja Vidic joining both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling on the treatment table at Old Trafford.

Whether Sir Alex Ferguson would have made a move for the player in January is up for debate, although talkSPORT claims last season’s Premier League runners-up will continue to monitor the player’s situation at the Veltins-Arena.

Papadopoulos first came to the attention of Manchester United in a 2011 Champions League semi-final, although his future now appears tied to Die Königsblauen.