Man Utd turn to Real Madrid ace Morientes

Manchester United have been linked with Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes as their injury crisis deepens.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's hernia problem will keep the Dutchman out for six weeks - rather than a month as was first thought. There are also fears Louis Saha could be out with his knee ligament injury for much longer than the three weeks originally expected.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer out for the season, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is left with just Alan Smith and Diego Forlan as main strikers for up to eight games.

Real Madrid's move for Liverpool star Michael Owen could trigger a deal which will see Morientes sold onto United.

Ferguson said: "It is not a great situation we are in."

"Ruud is not available to play for six weeks while Louis' situation is a bit more difficult to assess - I just hope it's only three weeks."