SOCCER NEWS:ALEX FERGUSON has warned Manchester United's fans not to expect a host of fresh arrivals by revealing he expects to sign only one player before the season begins.

United have been linked with moves for Dimitar Berbatov and Roque Santa Cruz but, aged 27 and 26 respectively, neither appears to fit the type of youthful player Ferguson says he is pursuing.

United's manager expects more meaningful player movement now that Euro 2008 has ended but has no plans to become heavily involved. "Nothing really happens while the championship is on," he said. "Now it is all over, things will settle down. Managers are back at clubs, back at training and you can get some dialogue now if you are interested in somebody but I wouldn't think (we will sign) any more than one player."

He highlighted age as a key factor. "People think it is easy to buy players nowadays but it isn't," he said. "Money plays a big part and clubs with ambition don't want to sell their best players so it is not as easy as you think. We tend to look for younger ones because of that."

Ferguson, who was beaten by Arsenal to the signing of the Welsh teenager Aaron Ramsey last month, was in relaxed mood before taking part in a charity golf event at Loch Lomond yesterday.

Only a question over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo briefly vexed him. "I'm not interested, I'm not going to talk about that," was his terse reply. But when later discussing United's potential for the season ahead, he indicated that he expects the Portugal winger to remain at the club, despite Ronaldo's desire to join Real Madrid.

"There are some young players who in periods last season did very well and in periods showed their youthfulness by being inconsistent," he said. "I think they will have come on a bundle after winning the league and European Cup; that can only help us. Players like Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Ronaldo, they will emerge from that without doubt and become top players for us."

Ferguson also had words of encouragement for senior squad members. He spoke of his confidence in Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and backed Gary Neville to return from an injury-ravaged 15 months. "At 33, it is always difficult when you have been out of the game for a year but he is such a determined character, you wouldn't bet against him coming back."

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has been told by Ferguson to "take as much holiday as he wants" after his Euro 2008 exertions. Guardian Service