Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any last-ditch signings before the transfer deadlline expires at the end of August.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (hernia) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (knee) are both long-term absentees, and Louis Saha is also out of action at the moment.

Midfielder Quinton Fortune is the latest addition to United’s growing injury list with a thigh strain.

“I would really love to bring in a new face, but if I’m being honest, I don’t think it will happen,” said Ferguson.

Their £7m summer signing Alan Smith was forced to play as a lone striker in United’s Premiership opener at Chelsea.

Diego Forlan is another attacking option but Ferguson appears to have lost faith in the Uruguayan striker.