Fulham boss Chris Coleman has told Manchester United to forget about signing Louis Saha.

The French striker has been linked with a £7million move to Old Trafford when the transfer window opens in the New Year.

But Coleman struck a defiant note, saying: “Louis is going nowhere. He is on fire and has been banging in goals — so it would not surprise me if United are interested. But it is not going to happen.”

“Louis is crucial to the way we play. You could say he is as important to us as Thierry Henry is to Arsenal. It’s hard when you play with only one striker and there are not many players who could do that particular job. But Louis is ideally suited to the role because he has speed and strength. The main thing is that he is happy and doesn’t want to move. I’ve spoken to him about extending his contract and all the indications are positive he will.”