Blanc Attracted To United

France head coach Laurent Blanc has confirmed he would be interested in succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.

The 44-year-old former France international spent two years playing at Old Trafford until 2003 before hanging up his playing boots following an illustrious career.

Blanc is now in charge of France after leaving Bordeaux over the summer to replace Raymond Domenech following the nation's dismal showing at the World Cup finals in South Africa.

The ex-Barcelona, Marseille and Inter Milan defender has been tipped as a potential successor to Ferguson once he eventually retires and the Frenchman is not ruling himself out of the running.

However, for now, Blanc is focusing all of his efforts on helping France to qualify for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine in two years' time and is not being sidetracked by club football.

"I could be attracted," Blanc told Reuters.

"It would be a very exciting challenge, very difficult, but conceivable if he presides at the process of his own succession.

"I would like it very much, but it would be difficult to find him a successor. He is at the helm for 24 years.

"Anyway, I am not concerned by that project so far. I have another challenge!"