SENNA IS NOW PRIORITY

The MEN reports that United are close to signing Villarreal's Marcos Senna after missing out on Patrick Vieira.

The Reds are ready to complete a deal, believed to be worth around £3.4m, for the Brazilian-born Spain international, and further strengthen a midfield bolstered by the arrival of Michael Carrick, who was paraded to the media yesterday.

But Ferguson hinted that, although still on the look-out for a third summer signing, there may be no immediate replacement for goal ace Ruud van Nistelrooy. Senna, a key figure as the Yellow Submarines made it to the Champions League semi-final last season, confirmed that he had agreed a deal with United and was now waiting settlement of a transfer fee.

The 30-year-old is expected to arrive on a three-year, £65,000-a-week deal.

He said: "I know they are negotiating a transfer and I hope they sort things out as soon as possible, so I know what my future will be."

Ferguson was staying tight-lipped on the matter but said that the club were in active talks over another midfield addition.

Asked when the deal might be done, he joked to media at yesterday afternoon's unveiling of Carrick: "I don't think you should go home." He added: "It's going on all right - we are progressing."