Blanc: I WILL retire this season

Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc, who announced his retirement at the end of the season earlier in the campaign, has insisted that he WILL NOT be persuaded to stay on for another year. Sir Alex Ferguson had wanted the thirty-six year old, capped ninety-nine times by his country, to stay to try and help United win the Champions League again next season.

Blanc told Planetfootball.com: "Nothing will change my mind even if we win the European Cup". Sir Alex had earlier said "I want him to stay".

Blanc arrived from Inter Milan at the start of the season on a free transfer to replace the departed Jaap Stam. The French international has been heavily criticised for United's failure to grab the Premiership by the scruff of the neck this season. But Fergie believes that Blanc is not to blame as not one of the goals United have conceded this year have been his fault.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has told reporters that he will never play in England again after being suprisingly sold by United at the start of the season. Manchester City, Champions of Division One, had been linked with a £10 million move for him.