Last updated on .From the section Football

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will not join Manchester United in January according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Lampard has been linked with a surprise move to United but Ferguson is not expecting to sign any players in this month's transfer window.

He said: "Do you really believe that? There is no foundation to it. We won't get the players that we would like.

"What can you get in January? What do you do? Do you take a second-rate player? No, of course you don't."

Chelsea assistant manager Roberto Di Matteo said he could not see Lampard leaving Stamford Bridge.

"He has been here for 10 years and he's part of the successful history of this club.

"I don't know what the future will hold but I can't see him going anywhere, he is part of our plans and important for us.

"We are very happy Frank is in our team. He's a fantastic player and has been a fantastic player season after season for this club and for his country.

"It is not a surprise other managers like him."

United have lost successive Premier League games, at home to Blackburn and away to Newcastle, prompting speculation that the midfield needs bolstering as Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley are long-term absentees.

UNITED'S LAST MONTH 4 Jan: Newcastle 3-0 Man Utd

31 Dec: Man Utd 2-3 Blackburn

26 Dec: Man Utd 5-0 Wigan

21 Dec: Fulham 0-5 Man Utd

18 Dec: QPR 0-2 Man Utd

10 Dec: Man Utd 4-1 Wolves

7 Dec: Basel 2-1 Man Utd All games Premier League, except Basel, which was Champions League

Lampard, who has scored nine goals this season, admitted last week that he has been frustrated at Chelsea, where he has either been substituted or come off the bench in 11 of his 25 games this season.

He has 18 months remaining on his contract but Ferguson added: "You are not going to tell me Chelsea would sell Frank Lampard to Manchester United in January.

"Chelsea are like us. They want to do something. The second half of the season is going to be important to them.

"If they want to try to win the league they will need to have all their best players."

Ferguson believes he would be better to trust the players he already has at Old Trafford.

"The injury situation has accelerated a lot of our fans into saying we will have to get someone.

"I would rather stick with the ones I have got than bring someone in who ends up not having a game anyway because they are not good enough."