FERGIE REFUSES TO DENY HENRY LINK

Tevez celebrates converting his spot-kick.

Sir Alex Ferguson still intends to buy a new striker this week - and has failed to rule out a shock move for Thierry Henry.

With Louis Saha written out of his plans and Wayne Rooney only just returned to training after picking up a virus in Nigeria, the Manchester United boss had only Carlos Tevez to call on for the Community Shield win over Portsmouth at Wembley.

Tevez responded with a man-of-the-match display containing everything but a goal as United triumphed in a penalty shoot-out.

But Ferguson admits getting a forward in time for Sunday's Barclays Premier League opener with Newcastle is now a pressing concern.

"It has been pressing since the end of last season," said the Scot.

"We like to operate with four strikers and we have not been able to do that."

There is bound to be fresh speculation over a move for Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov, while Karim Benzema, David Villa and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have also been linked with Old Trafford over the last few months.

Henry's name has just been added to that list despite the 31-year-old's obvious link with Arsenal.

Tellingly, it was an issue Ferguson chose to skirt round rather than reject.

"There is a name every day," he said.

"I can't answer the question because I don't have the right answer.

"It is possible I will sign someone this week. We are trying and we are looking at one or two options.

"Hopefully we will get something done."

Ferguson seems to have few problems in other areas.

Even with Owen Hargreaves and Park Ji-sung among the injured and Michael Carrick restricted to a place on the bench, United's midfield is packed with quality.

And in defence Ferguson is facing one of the biggest dilemmas of his managerial career as he decides whether to stick with Wes Brown, who performed so heroically last season, or bring back Gary Neville, who was making his first domestic appearance since breaking an ankle in March 2007.

"It is a cruel game," reflected Ferguson.

"Wes only missed two games last season and was absolutely outstanding.

"It is certainly a dilemma. Looking at it, I don't think Gary will play all the time. If we get 35 games out of him I would be delighted, so Wes Brown can do a job there."

It seems that Neville might get the nod, although Ferguson does not think the 33-year-old should come into Fabio Capello's thoughts when the Italian names his England squad for the friendly with the Czech Republic later this week.

"Gary could play in a friendly, that would not be a problem because he needs games," said Ferguson.

"But I would like him to play a few with us before he got to that crucial moment when you get back into international football.

"Gary had an hour today, which was perfect for him.

"When you think about the length of time Gary has been out for, to come back the way he has is remarkable.

"But he is a remarkable man. He has enthusiasm and determination and the quality of his game is superb."

Meanwhile, Ferguson hailed Rio Ferdinand as "the best centre-half in the world by far" as the hours tick down to the new England captain being named.

With Fabio Capello due to confirm his choice of skipper at some point in the next week, Ferdinand chose the best time possible to give a measured performance at Wembley.

"Rio is now the best centre-half in the world by far," said Ferguson.

"That was an exemplary performance. He did not give one foul away and intercepted every ball that came towards him.

"He broke out of defence in comfort so many times it was unbelievable. He is a magnificent player.

"He is 30 now and because he has experience his potential is now being fulfilled in a big way."

Yet it seems hard to believe the man who could be England's new leader is only number three in the United pecking order.

Gary Neville took the captain's armband as he made his first domestic appearance since March 2007 and when the full-back went off after an hour, Ryan Giggs was given the job.

"Rio is third in line because of his age," explained Ferguson.

"Originally, Ryan did not want to be captain but he is comfortable with it now.

"But Gary Neville represents the heart of the club. That is why I gave him it in the first place."

FA officials insist Capello has not informed them of a decision, with any announcement likely to be made in the build-up to the friendly with the Czech Republic on August 20.

"I am sure we will find out in due course," said Ferdinand.

"Of course it would be an honour but my main concern at the moment is Manchester United.

"With England we will just wait and see."

Penalty misses by Lassana Diarra, Arnold Mvuemba and Glen Johnson ended Portsmouth's hopes of another Wembley victory and coach Joe Jordan admitted losing on penalties was frustrating.

With Harry Redknapp unwell, Jordan spoke for the coaching staff and admitted: "We didn't particularly practise penalties but it's a very disappointing way to lose the Shield.

"You can't win anything if you don't even test the goalkeeper."

Diarra and Johnson blazed their spot-kicks over the bar and substitute Mvuemba's effort was blocked by goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar's legs, leaving Jermain Defoe as the only Portsmouth scorer in the 3-1 shoot-out defeat.

But Portsmouth were rarely a goal threat to United over the 90 minutes, and the poor quality of service to strikers Peter Crouch and Defoe meant they rarely had a sniff of goal.

Jordan admitted: "We didn't have the width to provide a better level of service but hopefully that width will come. We have Glen Little out injured and the manager is still looking for new players.

"We are trying to play 4-4-2 this season because of the players available but we have got to improve in the area of support for the front two.

"We got plenty of effort but some of the players who had international commitments in the summer have not done enough pre-season work yet.

"We came here today with just 18 players and we know we are going to need a bigger squad because of the extra demands on the UEFA Cup which is new ground for us.

"But we also know that playing in the UEFA Cup can make Premier League form suffer and our priority is still the Premier League next season. It is going to take a lot for players to play Saturday-Thursday-Sunday but we have to be competitive.

"Kaboul should help. He's a been a long-term target of the manager. He's only 22 and is coming to a good place to learn, with Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin."

Jordan admitted striker Kanu (thigh), new boy Little (thigh) and veteran defender Linvoy Primus (groin strain) are unlikely to be fit for next Sunday's Premier League opener at Chelsea.