Ferguson on the attack

Manchester United have gone cold on Dimitar Berbatov after being told by Tottenham they must pay £38million, according to reports.

United made an opening offer of £20million for the Bulgaria striker, who sat out Tottenham's 5-1 pre-season friendly win at Norwich last night, but were knocked back chairman Daniel Levy, who accused Old Trafford officials of "sheer arrogance" and reported them to the Premier League.

Berbatov's fellow frontman, Darren Bent, who scored four goals at Carrow Road, said: 'We have no idea what is going on with Dimitar Berbatov but that has nothing to do with us. We'll just get on with it.'

Levy is unlikely to want to risk further fans' wrath at White Hart Lane after yesterday reluctantly agreeing to sell Robbie Keane to Liverpool.

However, United chief executive David Gill is unwilling to cave in to Tottenham's demands and may advise Sir Alex Ferguson to pursue other targets, namely Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Samuel Eto'o, Roque Santa Cruz and Karim Benzema.