Premiership: Blanc set for Old Trafford medical

Laurent Blanc is to have a medical with a view to completing his free transfer to Manchester United.

The France World Cup defender will complete the deal before Friday's Champions League transfer deadline.

A spokesman for United confirmed the player was in the country.

Reports on Wednesday morning indicated that 36-year-old Blanc was in Manchester discussing the deal, but he was in fact training with his Inter Milan team-mates.

However, today's announcement has cleared up the confusion, and United are set to net Blanc on a free transfer.

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

But he will be the perfect replacement for Jaap Stam, who departed on Monday to Lazio for £16.5m.