Ferguson to end Sneijder pursuit

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says it is time to forget about bringing Dutch international Wesley Sneijder to Old Trafford.

English Premier League champions United have been linked with a move for the Inter Milan playmaker in the close season, with reports last week suggesting the clubs were close to agreeing to a fee.

But Ferguson conceded a move for Sneijder looks unlikely, adding he would not rush to make additions to his squad.

“Forget it,” Ferguson told the press when asked about Sneijder. “We are looking at some things but I am not so sure Sneijder will be easy to get.”

“I could pick three or four players to come in but they wouldn’t be good enough for us so there is no point.”

Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea have all arrived at Old Trafford during this transfer window, with Owen Hargreaves, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and the retiring Paul Scholes and Gary Neville all leaving the club.

And Ferguson said he would be happy to start the season with the squad currently at his disposal, but admitted he might need more cover in midfield.

“I would be happy enough (to start with his current squad),” Ferguson said. “Maybe I am a bit overloaded in the strikers’ positions.”

“The alternatives in midfield are not nearly as strong. But I have a good squad.”

But Ferguson reiterated that his abundance of strikers would not mean an exit for Bulgarian ace Dimitar Berbatov, who is rumoured to want out of Old Trafford despite being the Premier League’s top scorer last season.

“Dimitar is fine,” Ferguson said. “There is no problem. He has trained very hard.”

“He was disappointed to be left out of the final but I was disappointed myself having to tell him.”

“But that is the problem in football today. You get to the big games and you are not just disappointing one player, you are disappointing six or seven.”

United held off a late charge from Chelsea to claim the Premier League title last season, and Ferguson said he expected the Blues to again be a contender under new manager Jose Villas-Boas.

“We expect Chelsea to be challenging again,” Ferguson said.

“It is a big step for Chelsea and an enormous challenge. He (Villas-Boas) knows the club. He has been there before so that is an advantage.”

“He has a very experienced bunch of players there. For a young manager having to go to a club of that size, experienced players are a help to him.”