Ballack is not heading for Old Trafford

And Bayern insist United have not made an offer for the Germany captain.

Ballack, 28, whose contract expires next year, said: "I'll be playing for Bayern until 2006. We're aiming high, and I want to be a part of it."

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "Ballack has a contract until 30 June, 2006. We won't be letting him go before then."

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Chairman of Bayern's supervisory board, Franz Beckenbauer, is also keen to keep Ballack, but realises the player could consider his options.

"We would be really glad if he would stay here," Beckenbauer said.

"We would go up to our limits, but we know that his following contract would be his last big one. It is his right to get the best contract."