Fergie Tightens Purse Strings

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United expect to make only one more addition this summer.

Chief executive David Gill insists funds are available for fresh faces, but Ferguson claims he has faith in those already at his disposal.

Despite finishing as runners-up to Chelsea in the 2009/10 Premier League title race, the Red Devils believe they are heading in the right direction.

That means Ferguson will resist the urge to splash the cash this summer, preferring instead to continue developing those in the reserve and youth ranks at Old Trafford.

He has already put deals in place for Fulham defender Chris Smalling and Mexican star Javier Hernandez and feels there is no need to implement an overhaul of his playing staff.

"In the market today it's very, very difficult and the structure of our squad is good in terms of ages, the balance, the numbers and there's a lot of good young players," said Ferguson.

"Sometimes you have to trust in all the development of the last few years and I'm going to stick with that, or most of it.

"There may be one signing and maybe we'd like to get a good player to the club, of course, but it's not easy in the present day climate and I've nothing definite to tell you because we're still assessing whoever's available and the difficulties in terms of who you'd bring in."

Gill has echoed the sentiments of his manager, adding: "Hernandez and Smalling are signings we've already made and the other point to bear in mind is that the Premier League is bringing in squad limits next year of 25, which we clearly operate [in European competitions] but is now coming to the Premier League.

"There will be unlimited U21s and other rules and we'll be taking all that into consideration."