Fergie rules out buying striker

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out entering the transfer market to buy another striker.

This is despite a broken foot sidelining Wayne Rooney for two months and injury plaguing both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for much of the year to date.

Ferguson, who has been linked with Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov among other strikers, told reporters: "We made an inquiry about a striker not so long ago. The club concerned would not sell and it remains that way. With a week to the transfer deadline, it would be impossible to get anyone else in now."

The Premier League champions, who have also been linked with Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka and Newcastle United's Obafemi Martins, have rejected claims that they had made a bid for Berbatov.

Red Devils chief executive David Gill said: "Manchester United is linked with many players in every transfer window. The club has categorically not made a bid for Dimitar Berbatov."

Spurs boss Martin Jol told reporters ahead of the north Londoners' trip to Old Trafford this weekend that he had turned down one approach for Berbatov, of whom he said he would "rather die than sell".

Jol, who has rejected talk of a falling out between the pair, added: "Berbatov loves me. If he is playing well, he gets all the praise and if he is not doing well I have to tell him."

Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev had claimed Manchester United had made a firm offer for the 26-year-old Bulgarian striker.

He also indicated that he would meet Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy at some stage next week to discuss the interest.

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