Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says Real Madrid they must up their offer for Ruud van Nistelrooy or risk missing out on the Dutch striker.

It seems only a matter of time before a deal goes through, although Real will clearly have to get much nearer United's £15million valuation for the player than the £10million it is believed they have bid.

Reports from Spain last night suggested Van Nistelrooy was due in the capital for a medical today before completing a big-money move to the Bernabeu.

It appears the Real website even published a profile of the 30-year-old earlier in the day, only to swiftly take it off.

But Ferguson said: "There is no agreement with Real Madrid and Manchester United over Ruud. We have refused their offer. He remains a Manchester United player."

With Van Nistelrooy's short-term future still undecided and interest in Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres stalling, Ferguson may yet stick with his current strikeforce.

His midfield is another matter though, as public confirmation of his interest in Michael Carrick emphasises.

"We are trying to sign another central midfielder," said Ferguson. "We have made a bid for Michael Carrick but they (Tottenham) turned it down."

Ferguson did not elaborate on the Carrick issue but he did hint at a possible bid for Patrick Vieira should he receive confirmation the former Arsenal man wishes to leave scandal-hit Juventus, who are now bound for the depths of Serie B.

"We have to see what Juventus are planning for their players," said Ferguson. Vieira, (Fabio) Cannavaro and (Gianluca) Buffon are all top players and there are question marks about where they are going next season."  PA