Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a move for Olympique Lyon striker Karim Benzema.

The Sunday Telegraph says despite the recruitment of Angola's Manucho, Ferguson has only three recognised senior strikers in Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and the misfiring Louis Saha. He maintains there is no prospect of his signing Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov in the January transfer window and he might have to make do with what he has in the short term.

But United will keep searching for another forward and Ferguson is one of many top European managers who is impressed by the rapid development of Lyon's Benzema. The 20-year-old France international was the scourge of Rangers in a deciding Champions League group tie earlier this month and represents a potential threat to United's progress in the competition.

Ferguson acknowledges the fledgling talent, just as he recognises the possible toll of four Premier League fixtures in 10 days on his strikers.

"Yes, there is a concern about that," he said. "You just hope you get through it. These next four games are a big test for us in that respect."