Here, ManUtd.com assesses the four main transfer targets United have been linked with in the UK´s tabloid newspapers:
Jermain Defoe, 21, has been linked with United before. The West Ham striker put in a transfer request immediately after the London club were relegated from the Premiership last season. Defoe is a nippy striker with an astute eye for goal. He would provide the perfect foil for Ruud, or could even operate alongside Solskjaer, Forlan, Scholes or Giggs. Has no European experience but by the same token, this means he´s one of the few talented forwards who isn´t ineligible for the Champions League. Has 11 goals for West Ham this term. Perhaps lacks strength so he wouldn´t be the best option for leading the line if Ruud was rested. ( il coute 12M£)
Louis Saha, 25, is a similar player to Defoe. His electric pace and calm finishing make him Fulham´s top scorer so far this season with six Premiership goals to his name. Has played the lone striker role for Fulham so could fill in for Ruud if United rested the Dutchman. Eligible for Champions League football. Has more strength than Defoe and is still young enough to develop. ( 5M£)
Vincent Kompany, 17, is a highly-rated central defender. Has Champions League experience this season so would be ineligible if signed by United. Ferguson watched Celtic beat Anderlecht 3-1 recently, reportedly watching to see how the youngster coped with British-style forwards Chris Sutton and John Hartson. Young and inexperienced, perhaps one for the future. ( 3M£)
Daniel van Buyten, 25, has been linked, on and of, with a move to Old Trafford for the past year. The Marseille central defender stands at 6ft 5in, but has played in the French club´s Champions League campaign this season so again, he would be ineligible. It is unlikely he would leave with Marseille still going well in their group, and Ferguson would balk at an £8million price-tag for a player he could not select in Europe. Any move for the Belgian international would seem more plausible during the summer.(12.5M£)