Striker search concerns Ferguson

BBC Sport (Saturday 23rd August 2008): Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says time is running out to sign a striker before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

United have been linked with a host of strikers in recent weeks, notably Tottenham forward Dimitar Berbatov.

"I am less optimistic than I was," said Ferguson, who had vowed to sign a striker for the start of the season. We have 11 days left before the transfer deadline and we are working at something, you never know in football."

The Premier League and European champions have also been linked with David Silva, Thierry Henry, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Roque Santa Cruz, who signed a new four-year contract with Blackburn on Friday.

Berbatov himself has spoken in recent weeks of his desire to join United, but has not been granted what he has described as his "dream" transfer.