Prunier quits United

ALAN NIXON

William Prunier's stay with Manchester United has ended after just two games following Alex Ferguson's offer of an extended trial and not a more permanent deal.

The former Bordeaux centre-back, who has paid up his contract in France and is looking for full-time employment, met the United manager yesterday after call-ups against Queen's Park Rangers and Tottenham, which passed with varying degrees of success.

United were prepared, indeed probably desperate, to have Prunier for Saturday's FA Cup third-round home tie with Sunderland when they will be without Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and David May.

However, the 28-year-old Prunier has decided to pack his bags and return to France where he has other offers.

Concerns over Pallister are growing with the possibility of a back operation to cure a sciatica problem which has already kept him out of the game for a month. Keeper Peter Schmeichel will be out for at least a fortnight after damaging a calf muscle at Tottenham.

Niall Quinn, who scored both goals for Manchester City against West Ham on New Year's Day, could be on the way to Sheffield United for pounds 1m.

The Football Association is considering head-hunting a successor to its 81-year-old chairman Sir Bert Millichip. The traditional recruitment grounds of the FA Council may be overlooked in the search for someone with a foot in the business and sporting worlds who would lead the organisation into the next century. Sir Roland Smith, the chairman of Manchester United plc, is an early candidate.

n The FA Cup fourth round draw will be made at 4.50pm on Sunday as part of the BBC's Match of the Day Live: the Road to Wembley programme featuring Chelsea v Newcastle.