Former Manchester United striker Andy Ritchie has backed manager Sir Alex Ferguson's interest in Ajax star Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

"I have really been impressed with Fernando Torres's start to playing in England," Ritchie told the Manchester Evening News. "I have always liked the look of him as a goalscorer but there was that question mark over him about the physical challenge in the Premier League.

"But I have to say that Torres hasn't worried about getting kicked or working his socks off. He doesn't give defenders a minute's peace.

"He looks a miss as far as United are concerned that they didn't get him. In my opinion he would have been great for United.

"Huntelaar wouldn't be a second best buy. He's a different kind of striker but he could certainly do it for United and in the Premiership as far as I can see."

Huntelaar's record of 102 goals in 142 appearances for Ajax, along with 20 goals in 30 games for Holland, has certainly impressed Ritchie.

"To put it bluntly, he is a goalscorer," he said. "Whenever you read or hear Ajax's results, it is always Huntelaar's name that's on the scoresheet. He seems to score goals for fun. He's a bit like a Ruud van Nistelrooy in that respect.

"If United are still struggling to score goals come mid-season then I'd certainly look on him as an answer in January, or even if Sir Alex Ferguson wants to strengthen that department anyway.

"The one thing is that the United manager knows exactly what he is doing and will make the right decision."