Manchester United's hopes of replacing Jaap Stam with either Fabio Cannavaro or PSV Eindhoven's Kevin Hofland have suffered a blow, with both players ruling out an Old Trafford move.
United are on the hunt for a new central defender after Jaap Stam was sold in a sudden transfer to Lazio last weekend.
The father of 22-year-old Dutch international Hofland has said his son would be staying at the club for at least another season.
"We have agreed with PSV that Kevin would, at least, play two seasons in Eindhoven. He will certainly finish this season at PSV," Huub Hofland said.
"After the current campaign, Manchester United or any other club could make PSV an offer.
"If the parties involved fail to reach an agreement, Kevin will just stay in Eindhoven because he enjoys life there," he said.
United have also been told not to bother making a bid for Cannavaro by Parma president Stefano Tanzi.
"We are not going to sell Cannavaro to anyone," Tanzi said. "A number of top Italian clubs have attempted to buy him but they received the same answer as everyone else - no."
French veteran Laurent Blanc, 35, is tipped to ease United's immediate worries by joining the club on a free transfer from Inter Milan.