Zubizarreta: United no longer pushing for Fabregas

Barcelona director of football Andoni Zubizarreta has claimed that Manchester United’s pursuit of Cesc Fabregas is over.

The 26-year-old had been the subject of a lengthy chase by new United boss David Moyes, who is looking to strengthen his midfield ahead of the start of the 2013-14 campaign.

But Zubizarreta has insisted that Barcelona have no desire to sell Fabregas, and says the reigning Spanish champions’ stance has been accepted by their English counterparts.

“We’re counting on Cesc,” he said. “I said that on the day of Tito (Vilanova)’s presentation, and also on the day of Tata (Martino)’s.

“He is an extraordinary player who creates, finishes and gets into the right positions. We’re delighted with him, he’s the Barca number four.

“He is a player that has a contract with us… United said they understand our position and won’t be pushing us any more.”

Fabregas, who previously spent eight years in England with Arsenal, scored 11 goals in 30 starts in La Liga last term.