Confusion over Blanc switch

Manchester United face a race against time to sign Laurent Blanc before the Champions League deadline on Friday.

The 36-year-old defender trained with his Inter Milan team-mates today when it was widely believed he was en route to Old Trafford.

Blanc, who is available on a free transfer, has been lined up as a replacement for Jaap Stam, who joined Lazio for £15.25million on Monday.

An Inter Milan spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that Laurent Blanc was this afternoon at the Pinetina training camp with all the other players."

Blanc, a close friend and international team-mate of United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, turned down moves to Old Trafford on least three previous occasions.

He is due to meet United officials but they will not include manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is attending a G14 managerial get-together in Geneva.

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 sat on the bench at the weekend as Inter beat Perugia 4-1 at the San Siro after being replaced at the centre of the defence by Colombian Ivan Cordoba and former Everton player Marco Materazzi.

Blanc is likely to demand wages of around £2million a year but is the sort of experienced defender Ferguson needs to replace Stam.

Inter director Gabrielle Oriali said: "United have been in touch with us about Blanc and we are willing to let him go."