We keep reading that Manchester United are in the race to sign teenage Spanish sensation Sergio Canales: forget it.

That race is already over – and Real Madrid are the winners. While it is true that the Racing Santander player`s father and agent had been in the UK meeting with Arsenal and that he did meet with representatives from Man City: United have missed the boat.

The player`s father wanted his son to sign for Madrid and Jorge Valdano – who influences both recruitment and selection at the Bernabeu - convinced the pair that Real was the ideal destination. Canales is out of contract at the end of the season and aside from finalising a few clauses with his current club, the player has agreed everything with Real Madrid.

Guillem Balague`s column in The Daily Mirror appears in association with  www.icons.com.