For the past few weeks now we’ve heard a from a lot of depressed, mopey Manchester United supporters that they have come to accept the fact that their only signing this transfer window will be Petit from Benfica as the 900th ill-conceived attempt at replacing Roy Keane.

Wallowing in self-pity aside, it was quite sad really.

Well, worry no more because Petit doesn’t want to play for them anyway!

“Now, I will go to rest for two weeks to be ready to start the new season well,” Petit told Maisfutebol.

“Manchester United? This is in the past, now I go to continue at Benfica.

“It is certain that I will continue there.”

Of course it’s more than likely that Sir Alex was the one who decided not to pursue a deal, but it says a lot about the kind of summer United have experienced thus far that not signing a player of Petit’s calibre may actually be considered a loss.