Ferguson: Ruud will remain a Red
Real Madrid have been making covetous eyes at the free-scoring Dutchman, who took his United tally to 97 in less than three seasons with a goal at Tottenham on Sunday.
However, Ferguson, who kept faith with the former PSV man and eventually signed him for £19 million in 2001 just 12 months after he suffered cruciate ligament damage, insisted he was not unduly worried.
After chatting to the player over the last few weeks, the United manager revealed in an interview with MUTV he expects the 27-year-old to extend his present deal, which is not due to expire until 2006.
"We are on the point of agreeing a new contract with him and hopefully we will be able to give more details of it quite soon," he said.
"You can't get upset about the reports, we just have to trust the situation and concentrate on our relationship with Ruud.
"Real Madrid are renowned for bringing up these kind of stories. They have done it with all their big signings.
"Ruud is very happy here, he has two and a half years left on his current contract and I am trying my best to make sure he stays."
Ferguson, who also confirmed there were no problems with the extension to his own contract that still remains unsigned, admitted there was a chance of bringing in a new face, without revealing the intended target.
"It is not easy because we want someone who can play European football and at this stage of the season that is very difficult," he added on MUTV.
"What we could do is bring a younger player in that has the qualities we require and is free to play in Europe. That is not beyond the realms of possibility."
Meanwhile, Ferguson also said he would continue to back Rio Ferdinand over his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test, and has stated he would pick the England central defender for as long as he is able to.
In line with Football Association regulations, United today requested written evidence of the reasons behind the lengthy sentence imposed on Ferdinand last Friday for his failure to take a drugs test.
The demand went in within hours of confirmation of the ban and once the reply is issued expected to be early next week Ferdinand will have 14 days to respond.
"Rio was wrong not to go but we will keep supporting him because there was no evidence to support the punishment he has received," said Ferguson.
"We know we are going to be criticised but we are entitled to support someone we feel is innocent.
"It is not an easy situation for him because no-one is unbreakable. We keep talking to him and he keeps saying he is fine but it is a very difficult situation to assess.
"He said he really wanted to play at Tottenham on Sunday and I admire that. He showed great character and temperament to get on with it."
Ferguson also hinted his legal dispute with major United shareholder John Magnier had diluted his passion for horse racing.
The pair are currently embroiled in a battle over the ownership rights to record-breaking Group One winner Rock of Gibraltar, a dispute which looks set to end in the courts.
"I used to like racing," said Ferguson when asked about his hobbies. "But I am not as keen on it now."
United have refused to comment on Fulham's claim they have made a £7million offer for striker Louis Saha.
The French forward has scored 10 goals for the Cottagers this season and revealed last weekend that a move to Old Trafford would be "a dream".
Ferguson is a known admirer and has already admitted he is in the hunt for extra forward firepower to take the pressure off Ruud van Nistelrooy when the transfer window opens.
However, if he is to prise Saha away from London, he faces a fight as Fulham chief executive officer Jim Hone insisted his club have no desire to sell the player, whose contract still has over two years to run.
"We can confirm that there have been unsolicited and unwelcome enquiries from a number of clubs, including Manchester United," he told www.fulhamfc.com
"It has been made clear to those clubs that Fulham does not wish, and has no financial requirement, to sell the player.
"Louis has consistently maintained that he is happy at Fulham and understands the importance of playing regular first-team football at this stage of his career.
"Neither the club nor Louis believes it would be beneficial for his future to become a squad member elsewhere."
Ferguson might not be ready to give up on the 25-year-old Parisian, who had a brief spell on loan at Newcastle in 1999, but is considering other options.
He was among the crowd watching Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Leeds last night when he was able to cast his eye over Nicolas Anelka, Alan Smith, James Milner and Mark Viduka for whom he is already reported to have had an offer rejected.
For his part, the Fulham manager, Chris Coleman, insisted his prized striker was going nowhere and said: "He'll be sold over my dead body."
He is determined to hang onto a player he describes as "invaluable".
"I'm not surprised by all the interest that has been shown in Louis," the Fulham boss said.
"He's a terrific player and fulfilling all his potential. But he will he be leaving this club over my dead body.
"We're doing well and he's a big part of that success, so it doesn't matter what club comes in for him, we don't want him to go.
"The chairman [Mohamed Al Fayed] has told me we don't have to sell any of our players. "He's invaluable to the club. Even if we got £20million for him we wouldn't sell because we'd then have to find another striker halfway through the season and it would take him time to settle in. It's too disruptive."
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