Fergie rules out Larsson return

ALEX FERGUSON is set to limit his January recruitment campaign to one African striker, after ruling out another move for Henrik Larsson.

The veteran Swede was a spectacular success after joining Manchester United on a short-term loan 12 months ago, scoring three goals in 13 appearances at a time when Ferguson was struggling for numbers.

With Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov not for sale and doubts still surrounding the long-term fitness of Louis Saha, speculation about a renewed bid for Larsson had started to surface.

But Ferguson, who indicated he would resist the temptation to bring in any new faces, will not be making a move for the 36-year-old Celtic great.

“Henrik promised his family then he would go home,” said Ferguson.

“He honoured it, and we honoured it. It would be an interesting one, obviously — but I don’t think so.

“At this time of year, it is always difficult to get the players you would like to get.”

In fact, the Scot has effectively ruled out any squad strengthening when the transfer window opens next month — other than to try and complete a deal for Angolan striker Manucho Goncalves, who impressed during a recent trial period at Old Trafford.

At 24, Goncalves cannot be bracketed with young midfielders Nani and Anderson, who have settled well following their summer arrivals from Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto respectively.

Indeed, unless he performs outstandingly well for his country at next month’s African Nations Cup, United may not even get a work permit for the player — who has been spotted by Ferguson’s assistant Carlos Queiroz and would almost certainly be loaned to a club in Portugal to overcome immediate administration issues.

“We hope he does well in the African Nations Cup next month because, as it is at the moment, he has to play enough games to qualify for a work permit,” added the United manager.

“If we can get the work permit we can map out a future for him, but I wouldn’t see him as a first-team player this season.”

There will certainly be no Angolan representative in a United shirt against in-form Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League clash tomorrow.

Ferguson’s team have already beaten the Toffeemen at Goodison Park this season. But the Blues are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run, 11 of which have ended in victory.

“Everton have done exceptionally well this season, and David Moyes takes all the credit for that,” said Ferguson.

“He has put young players on long-term contracts to keep some continuity within the club and made some good buys that have strengthened the core he has been working on.

“It is a young team with a future, which augurs well for Everton.

“They will be a handful for us. We will need our best form.”

Ferguson is expected to have Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Carlos Tevez available — even though the trio all picked up knocks in the win at Liverpool on Sunday.

After having a planned reserve-team outing called off in midweek because of a frozen pitch, Park Ji-sung will probably not be involved.

However, the South Korean — out since March following knee surgery — should make his re-appearance at some point over the festive period.

“Ji’s training in the last few weeks has been absolutely first-class, way beyond what we expected,” said Ferguson.