Sir Alex Ferguson believes Serbian winger Zoran Tosic can make an impact at Manchester United this season after wrapping up a double deal for the 21-year-old and his Partizan Belgrade team-mate Adem Ljajic on Friday.

United revealed late last year that they had reached agreement with Partizan to sign the duo in a transfer thought to be worth around 17 million pounds (17.6 million euros) and the Premier League champions have now concluded contract negotiations with both players.

Tosic, capped 12 times by Serbia, will link up with United immediately while 17-year-old striker Ljajic will spend the rest of the season on loan at Partizan.

But although Tosic will be ineligible for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at Southampton, United manager Ferguson is confident that the left winger will quickly challenge for a place in his starting line-up at Old Trafford.

Ferguson said: “We have been watching Tosic for over a year and in that time, he has become a regular in the Serbia national team.

“He’s a winger and we like wide players here at Manchester United, so we are very hopeful that he will do well for us.

“He hasn’t played since December 10, however, so he will need some time to adjust to the speed of the game over here and get used to the training.

“But once he gets himself accustomed to the pace, then I am sure he will play a part for us this season. Ljajic is another good player with real quality and he will come over to Manchester in time for next season.

“That is it for Manchester United in this transfer window, though. We are done now with our business for this season.”

Ferguson is likely to make a series of changes for the trip to the south coast for Sunday’s repeat of the 1976 FA Cup Final against Championship strugglers Southampton.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be rested, while Carlos Tevez is not due back from attending family business in Argentina until Sunday evening.

Despite reports suggesting that Tevez is close to signing a permanent deal at Old Trafford, Ferguson insists that the club are no closer to thrashing out an agreement with the player’s representatives, who continue to own the Argentinian.

Ferguson said: “I’m not going on about the Tevez contract because it is never-ending. Chief executive David Gill is dealing with it, but there is nothing to report.”

The FA Cup clash starts a busy January for United, who also have a Premier League clash at home to Chelsea on Jan 11 in-between a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Championship club Derby County.

And England defender Rio Ferdinand, who will miss the Southampton game, is facing a battle to fit for the Chelsea clash after being laid low with a back injury since pulling up in the pre-match warm-up at Stoke on December 26.

Ferguson said: “Rio is still not training because we need to give his back the time to settle. It has happened a few times now, but he is tall, with a long back, so it can happen.

“He definitely won’t be involved against Southampton or Derby, but we hope he will be back for the big one against Chelsea.”

Serbia winger Zoran Tosic has failed to agree on a contract with Manchester United, but said he remains optimistic he will join the club in January.

The 21-year-old Partizan Belgrade player visited Old Trafford last week with his manager, but said Sunday that United’s offer “does not coincide with” his demands.

“We agreed to stay in touch and I believe that everything will be fine in the end,” he said.

Tosic’s manager Zoran Pavlovic said the player was unhappy with the salary he is being offered, and told Belgrade daily Blic that the winger might consider finding another club.

No details of the transfer fee has been given for Tosic, but local media said it was around €3.5 million ($4.5 million.)

Tosic was granted a British work permit last month, after United manager Alex Ferguson made a personal plea at a hearing in Sheffield.

Tosic has made 12 international appearances, including at the Beijing Olympics, and can play on either flank.

Zoran Tosic has been given the go-ahead to join Manchester United after the champions were granted a work permit for the young Serbian star.

United have been searching for a new winger for some time, possibly to replace veteran Ryan Giggs, and it was reported earlier this week that an £8million fee had been agreed for Tosic.

United have not confirmed the fee they have agreed with Partizan Belgrade to sign the player but Sir Alex Ferguson attended a permit hearing for the 21-year-old on Friday and emerged with positive news, meaning Tosic will move to Old Trafford in January.

Tosic has scored nine goals in 20 games so far this season and has established himself as an important member of the Serbia senior side after initially impressing for the Under-21s.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is unlikely to sign any players when the transfer window reopens, but expects cash-rich neighbours Manchester City to be busy.

Ferguson, who has been linked with a move for Serbian youngster Zoran Tosic, insists there will be no new faces arriving in January.

The United chief says he is happy with the squad at his disposal, but he believes City, backed by the Abu Dhabi United Group, will be flexing their muscles.

“There definitely won’t be anyone coming here but I’m pretty sure City will do some business,” Ferguson told the club’s official magazine Inside United.

“You don’t talk about having all this money and then not use it. They’ll have plenty of ideas - the fact that they tried to buy four or five players in an hour on deadline day gives you an indication of what they want to do.

“But at the end of the day you can’t buy them all.

Partizan Belgrade have insisted they have not had any contact with Manchester United over Zoran Tosic or Adem Ljajic.

United are believed to be looking at both players with reports suggesting they have already agreed terms for Tosic which could also see Ljajic moving to Manchester.

Tosic is a current Serbian international and reports in England have claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson will be part of a United delegation that will attend a work-permit hearing this week over the left-winger.

The 21-year-old does not meet current work-permit criteria to play in the Premier League but, given he is valued at £8million, reports suggest United are trying to broker a permit for him.

However, Partizan sports director Ivan Tomic has stated that United have not signed either player, amid claims the European champions will try and strike a double deal.

United’s interest in Ljajic - another attacking midfielder - heralds from the fact he was on trial at Old Trafford earlier this season.

The 17-year-old is understood to have impressed, which has led to constant speculation that a move to United was in the pipeline.

“It is not true that Tosic and Ljajic have already signed for Manchester United,” Tomic said.

“It is simple, there has been no direct contact or official offer coming from England.

“Of course, it would be nice if they want some of our players, but it’s not true.”

Tosic has also continued to insist he knows nothing about a deal.

“I have nothing new to add on that subject, as I contacted my managers and they told me to keep my focus on playing and to stick to our mutual agreement which is that they will not inform me about anything until things move on to a much clearer situation,” Tosic told Vecernje Novosti.