Fergie given £20m to find new striker

Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the go-ahead to spend up to £20million on a striker when the transfer window opens in January.

The Manchester United manager watched his side move within a point of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League with two goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and one from Diego Forlan during the 3-0 victory over Rangers on Tuesday. But the Old Trafford hierarchy recognise the need for another top-class striker who can become Van Nistelrooy's permanent partner in the United attack.

While Forlan's terrific sixth-minute volley against Rangers was his fourth goal in as many matches, the £7.5m Uruguay international is not considered good enough to command a regular first-team place. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, out until after Christmas with a knee injury, is now preferred on the right flank and David Bellion, signed from Sunderland during the summer, is one for the future.

Ferguson tried to sign Brazil star Ronaldinho during the close-season as well as Harry Kewell and Damien Duff. But his failure to capture any of them leaves him short in that department at a time when Chelsea are blessed with an abundance of talented goalscorers.

United certainly have money to spend. Recently-published figures revealed record profits of more than £39m even before the sales of David Beckham to Real Madrid and Juan Sebastian Veron to Chelsea for what amounted to £40m more.

Ferguson could also use another centre half, with Rio Ferdinand facing a ban for missing a drugs test, but his priority remains a striker.