Manchester United have seen their path for Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie clear up considerably, after Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted the Dutchman would not sign for the English Premier League champions.
Van Persie has been linked with a move away from the Gunners after revealing he would not sign a new contract, with United, City and Juventus interested in garnering the prolific 29-year-old's signature.
However, Mancini admitted Van Persie would not be the latest Arsenal player to sign for City, while Juventus have reportedly cooled their interest due to controversy surrounding the future of Antonio Conte, who has been embroiled in the match-fixing scam.
Mancini cleared United's path considerably by revealing they were out of the running. "Van Persie? No, I don't think he will come here," he told Sky Sports Italia.
Sir Alex Ferguson stayed back in England and missed United's pre-season goalless draw with Valeranga in Oslo on Sunday, further suggesting the Scot could be closing in on a deal for the Dutchman, although that could also mean that the Red Devils could be nearing a move for Lucas Moura.
Reports in the media on Sunday suggested, United had finally agreed a fee with Sao Paulo for Moura, and the 19-year-old was on his way to Old Trafford for a medical. However, soon after the reports came out, Sao Paulo and the Brazilian FA denied the claims.
"It is not true that the player Lucas is undergoing medical exams this Sunday at Manchester," a statement from Brazil's FA (CBF) said.
"The Selecao directors haven't received any requests from the English club regarding this matter. And even if it does, it will not allow him to leave the Brazil camp to do so."
Sao Paulo also denied the reports. "He will certainly return to Sao Paulo," the Brazilian club's vice-president Joao Paulo told Lancenet.
"There is no negotiation going on. As we have already said it's very hard for him to leave during the current transfer window.
"We have no interest in selling him but Sao Paulo are not stupid. We know that in certain situations you can't say no.
"But such kind of offer hasn't come yet."
Moura's agent Wagner Ribeiro, who has been pretty vocal about his client's potential move to Old Trafford in the past, insisted it was still too early to announce any deal. "I don't talk about factoids. This news about the selling of Lucas is not true."
Meanwhile, United captain Nemanja Vidic was satisfied with his comeback from injury after playing 60 minutes against Valeranga. "I felt well," the Serbian told MUTV. "After eight months without a game it's obvious that you have to get used to your positioning, and still fitness-wise it's not as hopefully it will be in a few weeks, but I'm pleased. My knee felt well, I felt well and hopefully the next game will be better.
"It was frustrating, but obviously I knew I would be out for six months. I tried to make the best of it, to work hard and when I come back to be the same as I was before the injury.
"This was my target and we'll see how good a job I did in that six months. It's hard, but it's part of the football career. Any sportsman has the risk of injuries and hopefully this is the past and better days are coming for me."
