Blanc set to complete United switch

French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc is expected to arrive in England this afternoon to tie up a deal with Manchester United…

French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc is expected to arrive in England this afternoon to tie up a deal with Manchester United.

The central defender, who leaves Italian outfit Inter Milan on a free transfer, will fill the gap left by Dutch international Jaap Stam who joined Italian side Lazio on a Stg£16.5 million deal at the weekend.

The 36-year-old French player will meet United officials later today but they will not include manager Alex Ferguson who is attending a G14 managerial get-together in Geneva.

Blanc turned down moves to Old Trafford on least three previous occasions but seems certain to sign this time, and join compatriots Fabien Barthez and Mikael Silvestre at the club.

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United need to make a signing before the end of the week for Stam's replacement to be eligible for the Champions League first group stages.

Blanc, who retired from the French national squad after their Euro 2000 victory, will receive an annual salary in the region of Stg£2 million, according to reports.

AFP