Sir Alex Ferguson rules out Manchester United move for Arsenal's Samir Nasri

The Red Devils boss has quashed rumours surrounding the Frenchman's potential transfer to Old Trafford, but believes the midfielder may have agreed to join another club

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out a move for Arsenal's Samir Nasri this summer.

The French international midfielder has been heavily linked with a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium with United and neighbours Manchester City both believed to be interested in the player.

The Scot does not expect Nasri to arrive at Old Trafford before the close of the transfer window, but did suggest the 24-year-old may be bound for another club.

"Nasri, no," Ferguson said at a press conference on United's pre-season tour of America. "I don't think he's coming to United.

"I think he's agreed to go somewhere else. Maybe he has to stay at Arsenal too. That's a possibility."

The Premier League champions were rumoured to be interested in Nasri following the retirement of Paul Scholes, a player Ferguson has conceded is almost impossible to replace.

"How do you replace somebody like Paul Scholes? It's very difficult," he said.

"If you bracket four of the best midfield players in the world he'd be alongside Xavi and Iniesta and then you take your pick. In my mind he's one of the top four players in the world.

"How will we overcome it? Maybe the next few weeks will help us overcome it. Maybe somebody will emerge out of the youth team or one of the young players emerge, and then we carry on."

The Champions League finalists have also been linked with a move for Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder, though new boss Gian Piero Gasperini is hopeful the Dutchman, who is happy at San Siro, will stay with the club.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, is also confident Nasri will remain with his current club, alongside Barcelona target Cesc Fabregas.