United deny Berbatov bid

United were last night forced to reject claims they had made a bid for Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov, of whom Ferguson is a known admirer.

It is believed at one stage this summer Ferguson did make a tentative inquiry for the 26-year-old Bulgaria international, only to be flatly told there was no possibility of a sale.

Yet Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev claimed United have been in touch again with a firm offer and he will meet Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy at some stage next week to discuss the interest.

However, United have taken the unusual step of denying the story publicly.

"Manchester United is linked with many players in every transfer window," said chief executive David Gill.

"The club has categorically not made a bid for Dimitar Berbatov."

With Wayne Rooney sidelined for two months with a broken foot and both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plagued by injury for most of 2007 so far, speculation has been mounting Ferguson will bring in a fresh face.

As well as Berbatov, Nicolas Anelka and Obafemi Martins have been linked with United in recent days.

But, having seen one attempt to buy a major striker rebuffed earlier this summer, Ferguson is not about to enter the market again.

"We made an inquiry about a striker not so long ago. The club concerned would not sell and it remains that way," Ferguson told XFM ahead of tomorrow's clash with - ironically - Spurs.

"With a week to the transfer deadline, it would be impossible to get anyone else in now."

Instead, Ferguson looks set to hand Brazilian new-boy Anderson his debut against Spurs, completing an all-South American forward line with Carlos Tevez.

And the good news for United is that Saha should be on the bench, heralding the prospect of his first appearance in a league game at Old Trafford since February in a year blighted by hamstring and knee problems.

With 12 goals in his first 20 games last season, Saha played a major role in giving United the flying start which saw them eventually finish top.

And, while there was some speculation he would be sold in the summer, Ferguson has no doubt what an impact the 29-year-old can have if he remains fit.

"Louis is an out-and-out front player," the United boss said.

"He has pace and power and if he had continued playing throughout last season he might have scored 30.

"He was a big loss to us in the second half of the season because we just never got him back out on the field.

"But he has been doing well in training over the last two weeks and it will be a big boost to have him back."

Ferguson, who revealed the club are investigating Liverpool's involvement in the Gabriel Heinze saga, is confident United will collect their first win of the season tomorrow, although he is aware Spurs will be thirsting for victory themselves in response to the speculation surrounding manager Martin Jol.

"We will win the game on Sunday," he said.

"Our performance level will win the game for us.

"There is no question Tottenham will come here with a great determination to help their manager.

"But with the ability in this team, I know the results we have been having will not carry on for long."