Real Madrid Block Coentrao's January Move To Manchester United – Report

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly refused to let Fabio Coentrao leave the club before the end of the transfer window despite the left back wanting to move away - with Manchester United, Napoli and Milan fighting for his signature.

The Portuguese defender was set to join the David Moyes' side last summer on a season-long loan but the deal collapsed in the final hours of the transfer window as Real failed to finalise a move for Guilherme Siqueira as a replacement.

According to Spanish newspaper Daily AS, United launched a new attempt to sign the Portuguese international earlier this month but the Spanish giants rejected the offer.

The report adds that Madrid manager Ancelotti is not willing to part with the full back as he would then only have Marcelo as his only natural option for the role.

Reports claim that Rafa Benitez's side Napoli and Milan have also approached Real Madrid for Coentrao but Ancelotti is adamant there is no way the player will leave the Bernabeu half way through the season.

Coentrao however is keen to push for an exit from Spain in order to get more playing time and improve his chances of being named in Portugal's World Cup squad.

The 25-year-old has been out of action for the past two months due to injury and despite his recent return to fitness, Marcelo's remains Ancelotti's first choice.

After signing Juan Mata, David Moyes is looking to strengthen his squad with a midfielder and a replacement for Patrice Evra, whose contract expires in the summer. Coentrao now stands as one of the few viable targets left on the market after Leighton Baines signed a new deal with Everton and Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino underlined his intention to retain Luke Shaw.

United have sold Fabio da Silva to Cardiff this month while Alexander Buttner has failed to convinced Moyes he deserves a place in the starting line-up during the first half of the season.