Name: Laurent BLANC
Shirt Number: 5
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: November 19, 1965
Birthplace: Ales, France
Transfer Fee: Free
Laurent Blanc
started his career with French Second Division Montpellier in
1983 and enjoyed promotion to the top flight after the 1986/87
season.
His performances in the heart of their defence
as well as in front of the opposition goal - he scored eighteen
goals in 34 games in 1986/87 and fifteen in 34 in 1988/89 - caught
the eye of the French national team and he made his international
debut against Ireland in February 1989. He won the French Cup
with Montpellier the same season.
Blanc faced United in his last season with Montpellier,
impressing all as the Reds won over two legs on their way to European
Cup Winners' Cup glory in 1990/91.
Laurent moved to Serie A in 1991/92, playing
for Napoli for a season, before returning to France with Nimes.
After a season with Nimes he moved on to St Etienne,
where he scored eighteen goals in two seasons. From there it was
on to Auxerre for a year, when he was part of a French League
and Cup Double winning side.
Next stop on Blanc's career path was Spain's
Primera Liga, where he played alongside Ronaldo at Barcelona under
Bobby Robson. A fantastic season saw Barca win the Spanish Cup
and the Cup Winners' Cup while finishing second in the League.
He didn't hang around though, and joined Olympique Marseille in
August 1997.
It was while with Marseille that Laurent was
the mainstay of the World Cup winning French side in 1998. Having
played in all but one game up until the final, Blanc was banned
for the match against Brazil. He was harshly sent off in the semi
when Croatia's Slaven Bilic feigned injury.
Laurent switched back to Serie A and Inter Milan
in August 1999, before adding to his incredible medal collection
by winning Euro 2000 with 'Les Bleus.' He retired from international
football after a friendly against England on 2 September 2000.
Blanc signed for United on 30 August 2001, replacing
Jaap Stam in the heart of the Old Trafford defence.
The Frenchman signed a one-year deal at the Theatre
of Dreams, effective until 30 June 2002.
Did You Know?
Laurent's nickname in the France national team was "Lolo".
Laurent was a frequent visitor to Old Trafford
when his friend Eric Cantona was a United player.
Laurent goes back to his home village, Roussen,
every year to play in the Laurent Blanc tournament.
Blanc has never played in the Champions League
before - he helped Barcelona, Auxerre and Marseille qualify, but
left before the start of the season each time.
When Laurent made his Montpellier debut, Wes
Brown was only four years old.
