Blanc rebuffs Fergie's advances

Manchester United has given up hope of securing the services of French Euro 2000 star Laurent Blanc.

Manchester United has given up hope of securing the services of French Euro 2000 star Laurent Blanc.

The defender has rejected three offers to join the Premiership champions over the summer. United boss Alex Ferguson said he has tried repeatedly to bring France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez's European Cup-winning teammate to Old Trafford only to be turned down by the veteran defender who is keen to stay at Inter Milan.

The 34-year-old has opted to finish out his career in Serie A for the Italian giants.

"We made three bids for Laurent but he turned them all down," Ferguson said. "Other than that, we've not bid for any other player." Indeed, Ferguson has been very quiet in the transfer market since his side lifted their sixth Premiership title in the last eight years in May, bringing in only Barthez from Monaco for £7.8m.