Carrick penned in for Porto

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to have Michael Carrick's services available against Porto.

The Spurs midfielder is set to undergo a medical with The Red Devils on Monday after the club's agreed a fee for his services on Friday.

Ferguson is hoping all goes to plan and that Carrick can be unveiled as a United player before the team fly out to participate in the Amsterdam.

United's opening match of the tournament is against Portuguese giants Porto on Friday before they tackle hosts Ajax 24 hours later.

"Michael Carrick's arriving tomorrow night. He'll do his medical on Monday," explained Ferguson to Sky Sports News.

"Hopefully that will be concluded by the end of the day and at the end of the week hopefully we'll have a press conference.

"If we get the business done he'll travel to Amsterdam with us and that'll be his first game."

Ferguson revealed he is a long-term admirer of the former West Ham man and that the midfielder's passing skills will give United's midfield a new dimension.

"He's a good footballer," Ferguson continued.

"He's a Manchester United player as far as the football is concerned. I think that showed in his appearance for England.

"I think he'll bring passing alternative to the way we play football."

Meanwhile, the Scottish tactician has revealed Carrick is not the only player in the pipeline and that the Old Trafford side are still working on other deals.

"We're working on one or two things, so hopefully something will happen in the next few days."