Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos denies a blow-up with coach Jose Mourinho.

Ramos is reported to have answered back at Mourinho during an inquest into last week's Copa defeat to Barcelona.

But he insisted: "As second team captain I can assure you the team is more united than ever and that this group of players is strong. That's what will bring us success. This is a young and excited squad, but there's always room for improvement.

"Our relationship with the coach has always been good. Mourinho is the ideal coach for this club and we're happy to learn from him. He is very experienced; he's won it all and is really bringing out the best in us so that each of us plays his best.

"We have a five-point cushion over Barcelona. That's an important fact and we have to value what we're doing well. We're competing with one of the best teams in the world, which inspires us to work harder and perfect our defects. This is a long season, but we're doing a good job."