Milan insist Vogel's staying put

AC Milan have confirmed they have rebuffed renewed interest from Manchester United in Switzerland midfielder Johann Vogel.

Rossoneri sporting director Ariedo Braida admitted United had enquired about the 28-year-old but were told the player would be staying at the San Siro.

Braida told PA Sport: “Johann Vogel will remain at AC Milan 100%.

“We want him and we need him and therefore we are not willing to let him go.

“It’s true that Manchester United showed an interest but no offer was made because we said from the beginning that we wanted to keep the player.”

United are in the market for a midfielder with Paul Scholes out for the season with eye trouble, John O’Shea missing for six weeks with fractured ribs and Ryan Giggs facing a week on the sidelines after picking up a slight hamstring strain in last Wednesday’s win over Blackburn.

United were so stretched in midfield they played defender Rio Ferdinand there in the 3-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Wolves.

Vogel has struggled to hold down a place in the Milan midfield after joining the Serie A club from PSV Eindhoven at the start of the season.