Sir Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn out on the state of contract talks with Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, but admitted he was in the market for a new left-back.
Welbeck, who had an impressive Euro 2012 campaign with England, has just a year remaining on his current contract and United are keen to see the 21-year-old academy product sign a new long-term deal.
However, it is understood talks have reached an impasse, with Welbeck asking for considerably more than what United are offering. When asked about the progression of the contract discussion, Ferguson remained coy on the subject. "We are negotiating with Danny's brothers," Sir Alex told PA Sport. "They represent him. It's difficult to say where we are with that at this moment in time.
Ferguson is a big fan of Welbeck's talents, and wants the striker to remain at Old Trafford, after seeing several youngsters, including Paul Pogba and Ezekiel Fryers, leave the club for more money.
Welbeck made his breakthrough in the United team last campaign, scoring 9 goals, after an impressive loan spell with Sunderland the previous season. However, Ferguson wants the England international to score more goals, and was confident the best was yet to come from the 21-year-old.
"He got nine goals last season but if you are going to be a top striker you have to get 20 or above," Ferguson said. "I think he will do that.
"He's got good movement and courage, plus confidence on the ball.
"And he showed maturity at the Euros by playing three games in seven days, which he has certainly not done for us before.
"He's always had growth spurts and all little things like weak knees and weak thighs. It was happening all the time.
"He's not got his full body yet. There's a lot of growth in him yet.
"At 6ft 3in, I don't think he'll get taller, it will go the other way, and he is very powerful already."
Meanwhile, Ferguson admitted he would look to bring in a new left-back to compete with Patrice Evra. "Yes. We have two young lads we gave a bit of time to against AmaZulu (in a pre-season friendly in South Africa) but they are young," Ferguson said.
"Patrice will be all right. He's shown he has a resilience about him and has a great attitude to playing, but he is 31 next month."
Asked if it will be tough to convince a player to sign, knowing he will have to compete with Evra, Ferguson said: "That's a possibility," he said.
"But we are not at the stage where we're assessing that. It's not an easy decision to make."
United have been heavily linked with a move for Everton left-back Leighton Baines, but have been reportedly put off by the asking price for the England international.
