Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he prevented Mathieu Debuchy from joining Manchester United on loan for the rest of the season.
The full-back was eager to leave the Emirates to get some minutes under his belt in order to improve his chances of making the France team for this summer's European Championships in their homeland.
Debuchy dropped down the pecking order at Arsenal due to in-form Hector Bellerin and eventually secured a loan move to Bordeaux in January.
Recently, Debuchy revealed that he was approached by United, but Wenger did not agree to sanction the move.
When asked about the full-back's claims in Friday's press conference, Wenger told reporters: "I hope that's not surprising to you. If Man United wants to buy a player, you loan players out to clubs who do not have the resources, but not to direct opponents. There was nothing shocking in that and it's true, I stand up for that.
"I was surprised [United tried to sign him], yes. I can understand it but I found that logical [to block the move]."
Debuchy joined Arsenal from Newcastle United in 2014.
Danielle Joynson
