After performing a U-turn with his own retirement plans, Alex Ferguson is now hoping to persuade Laurent Blanc to do likewise. Manchester United's manager should finalise his new three-year contract in the next week and he sees Blanc as part of his long-term plans.
At 36, Blanc has already stated that this will be his final season. Ferguson, however, is hoping to tempt him to reconsider with the offer of an extended contract, possibly including the added incentive of a coaching role.
"Out of respect to Laurent, he's the one who has to decide. But it would be a regret of mine if he did retire," Ferguson said yesterday, adding that he thought the Frenchman could play "for another year or two".
Blanc's re-emergence as a central defender of poise and stature, having struggled early on to adapt to the English game, has been a pivotal factor in United's remarkable recovery from ninth in the Premiership to league leaders.
"He's shown a great temperament during his time with us because he has been aware of a lot of unfair criticism. People were looking for a scapegoat and they picked the wrong one," Ferguson said. "The defensive errors in our game that were bugging us earlier in the season have evaporated. We are looking far more solid at the back and Laurent has been fantastic.
"He brings a calm to our defence. His composure and reading of the game are superb. I just wish I had signed him a long time ago."
United resume Champions League duties at Old Trafford tonight against a Nantes side that, despite losing their last three games in the French first division to find themselves hovering just above the relegation zone, caused Ferguson's players much discomfort in the Stade de la Beaujoire last Wednesday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's stoppage-time penalty salvaged a 1-1 draw to preserve United's place at the top of Group A and a victory tonight would put them in a position of strength before Bayern Munich visit Old Trafford on March 13th.
But Nantes have conceded only three goals in nine European games this season and Ferguson has seen enough of the French side and their outstanding young goalkeeper Mickael Landreau to acknowledge this is another tie reeking of danger.
"Because of their league position people assumed we would roll them over in France," he said. "You cannot do that in Europe. They don't lose many goals at all and they will be difficult opponents. I just hope Monsieur Landreau is not as inspired as he has been."
Ferguson is waiting to see whether Phil Neville and Paul Scholes will be available after suffering from a virus. Nicky Butt and David Beckham are carrying slight injuries.
Nantes's formidable defence will be deprived of three important players, with Nicolas Gillet and Nicolas Laspalles injured and Mario Yepes suspended after being booked last week.
"For many of the players it is a dream to go and play at Old Trafford," said their manager, Angel Marcos. "So there will be no problem with motivation. Our chances of victory may not be high, but they certainly exist."
MANCHESTER UNITED (probable, 4-1-4-1): Barthez; Irwin, Blanc, G Neville, Silvestre; Keane; Beckham, Butt, Veron, Giggs; Van Nistelrooy.
NANTES (probable, 4-4-2): Landreau; Deroff, Fabbri, Cetto, Armand; Ziani, Savinaud, Berson, Quint; Vahirua, Moldovan.
Referee: M Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain)
Guardian Service
