Ferguson turns up heat over contract

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is increasing the pressure on defender Rio Ferdinand to commit his future to the club.

The England international has yet to agree to a new deal after asking for a reported salary of £120,000 a week.

Ferguson told reporters yesterday: "Rio's agent is apparently out of the country so there's nothing much we can do about that.

"Whenever he's back in the country we will want a decision, and I think it's important that Man. United and the fans get a decision."

The 26-year-old Ferdinand, who has two years of his contract to run, said: "I understand the fans are maybe frustrated but we are in negotiations which are going well.

"We met last week and hopefully the negotiations can be speeded up in the coming days.

"I have reiterated that I like it at United and I want to sign, but these things never happen overnight."

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll, who reaches the end of his contract in the off-season, also has yet to accept an offer.

"Roy's agent has been talking to the press, but he has not spoken to us for months so we don't know the situation there," Ferguson said.

* Manchester United have signed 18-year-old Nigerian-born midfielder John Obi Mikel from Norwegian side FC Lyn Oslo, the Premier League club said on their website yesterday.