Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he became "fed up" with Fernando Torres as he tried to sign the Spaniard before Liverpool's swoop last month.

He told the Daily Mail: "Over the past few years there was some interest for us in Torres, but every time he signed a new contract. Sometimes you get fed up with that kind of thing, you know.

"I think Torres is athletic, he's brave enough and he'll run the channels for them, which he did well in Madrid. He's good in the air and has got a physique. He's quicker than you think."