Ronaldo's imminent return lifts United but deal for Spurs' Berbatov is in doubt

This is bound to cheer Ferguson, who yesterday admitted he is growing less certain that Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov will end up at Old Trafford.

The absence of Ronaldo has increased the pressure on Wayne Rooney, who has been told he may have to carry extra responsibilities in front of goal this season.

United star Ronaldo is nearing a first-team return

Rooney scored 18 goals last season, a tally dwarfed by Ronaldo’s staggering total of 42.

But with United struggling to persuade Tottenham to drop their £32million valuation of Bulgarian Berbatov, Rooney may become his team’s senior striker when the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Ferguson said: ‘ I’m less optimistic about Berbatov.

'There are about 11 days left, so we are under pressure.

'We’re working at something. You never know in football. We may get him, we may not.
'If we don’t we will carry on with what we’ve got.’

Ferguson, who now has Owen Hargreaves and Ji-sung Park back in training, has admitted that Rooney has suffered in the last two years from changing tactical formations and from his own unselfishness.

Ferguson added: 'Wayne is overdoing it in terms of areas he is playing in at times.

'But that’s because he loves playing football.

‘There have been a lot of players like that. Roy Keane was exactly the same.

'Wherever the ball was, he wanted to be there.

Wayne Rooney could become the club's senior striker if Sir Alex Ferguson fails in his attempts to sign Dimitar Berbatov

'There’s nothing wrong with having that enthusiasm. We’re hoping we can channel that and his natural affection for the game will help as well.

'He’s starting to identify that as a weakness — that he is working too hard in the wrong areas of the pitch.

'It’s not a bad thing for him to come out and say so. We’ve already spoken to him about it.  It’s only a small correction.

‘I have no problems at all with Wayne Rooney.’

The United boss also pointed out that the England forward’s unselfish approach reflects a sound team ethic.

Ferguson said: ‘That is terrific to see in young footballers because we are in an era of “need to be seen”.

'How players celebrate goals, the ear-rings they wear and all the tattoos that they have.
‘It tells you the age we are in as need to be seen.

'It’s refreshing that someone is prepared to sacrifice that for the team effort.’

United travel to Portsmouth on Monday needing a victory to make up for the disappointment of the opening day’s 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United.