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Melbourne - Manager Rafael Benitez said Thursday he is "100 percent" confident skipper Sergio Ramos will stay at Real Madrid amid fevered speculation linking him with Manchester United.
Spain international Ramos has been linked to United in a swap deal with Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea, but Benitez made it clear the defender was going nowhere.
"It's very simple, De Gea is not our player so nothing to say about him," he told reporters ahead of Real Madrid facing Manchester City in the final match of the International Champions Cup in Melbourne on Friday.
"The update about Sergio Ramos is that he is our player and he's a key player for us.
"He's the captain and I would like to see him at the beginning of the season because I think he will be crucial for us in the season.
"Yes, for me 100 percent (staying). I insist that it is clear for both me and the club that Sergio will be here.
"Football is a curious world, but Sergio will be playing for us this season," he added.
"I have a lot of respect for (Manchester United manager) Louis van Gaal, but Sergio will stay with us."
Reports have said Manchester United want to use Real Madrid's interest in De Gea in an attempt to sign Ramos, believing the defender was keen to move after the Spanish club failed to offer him an extension to his contract, which expires in 2017.
Ramos scored Real's injury-time equaliser in their Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has made 445 appearances for the club since joining from Sevilla in 2005.
He has 128 caps for Spain and was in the starting line-up when they won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
