United’s Fabregas pursuit over

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta claims Manchester United have accepted defeat in their attempts to sign Cesc Fabregas.

United have already had two bids for Fabregas rejected, with Barcelona consistently insisting the Spain international was not for sale. A possible third United bid for Fabregas, 26, had been mooted but comments from Zubizarreta yesterday suggest the Premier League champions have now decided to end their pursuit of the former Arsenal captain.

Zubizarreta said: “Manchester United are interested in the player, but it’s also true that they understand our position of not wanting to sell. They have renounced his signing.