Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has shut down talk of buying a holding midfielder.

Rennes ace Yann M'Vila has been mentioned, but Ferguson says he doesn't believe in the role.

"If you look at the examples, Fabregas was one of the best midfield players in England for five years but he wasn't a big lad and wasn't a holding player," said Sir Alex. "He was an attacking player. Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta are small players - you can't call them holding players.

"I don't think we've had a holding player since I've been here. We've never had a holding player.

"We tried to get Roy Keane to do that but he just couldn't do it. He had to play a way that was his own way of playing, so I've not had it for 25 years. Why should I think about it now?"