Manchester United are due to launch a fresh bid for Dimitar Berbatov, and their first for Roque Santa Cruz, at some point this week.

Ferguson’s side laboured to an opening-day 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle, and were clearly lacking a cutting edge up front.

There was no Carlos Tevez due to a family bereavement, and no Cristiano Ronaldo due to injury, leaving Wayne Rooney as the only proven goalscorer available. But, even when all these players return, Fergie still feels he needs another striking option.

The Reds had four top goalscorers the year they did the Treble in 1999, and that is what manager Ferguson wants again.

He said: “We are working on bringing in another top striker. Having added strength up front is a situation I would really enjoy."

“Ideally, I like to operate with four experienced strikers, as we did when we won the Treble when we had Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Solskjaer.”

Spurs are holding out for £30million for Berbatov, while United will need to bid at least £18m for Blackburn to even think about selling Santa Cruz.

Meanwhile, United have signed a lucrative five-year sponsorship deal with Saudi Telecom.