STEVE McCLAREN says he has not had a chance to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of today's FA Cup clash - because he has spent all his time this week talking to football agents.

The Middlesbrough boss takes his depleted side to Old Trafford for the their fourth-round clash admitting his preparations for the big game have been sidetracked by trying to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday at 5pm.

McClaren has made no secret that he intended to bring in some more defenders to cover his injury-ravaged back line and Celtic's Bobo Balde has been his main target.

The likelihood of Balde arriving on Teesside increased last night when Liverpool's Stephane Henchoz moved to Parkhead on a free transfer.

But one player who won't be arriving at the Riverside is Newcastle United bad boy Craig Bellamy.

The Magpies have accepted a £6m bid for the Welsh international from Birmingham City.

The Boro boss revealed an admiration for the controversial striker but admitted his priorities lie elsewhere.

"All I have been doing this week is talking to agents, every day and every hour of the day, trying to bring players in," admitted McClaren.

"It has been a frustrating and difficult January in that respect. We need a couple of players and we have tried this week with no success, but there are still three days to go.

"We have been linked with a few players and we've made inquiries about a few players and I won't hide the fact that I have made an inquiry about Balde. How far it is going to go, we'll know over the next three days.

"I've always admired Craig Bellamy and he has done well for Newcastle but that is one area we're not short of at the present moment. We've got four strikers and Malcolm Christie coming back so that's five. It is other areas we need to strengthen.

"There are a lot of players out there we would like to take but we have to prioritise."

McClaren admitted clubs are more likely to strike a deal a couple of days before the transfer window closes than at the opening, and remains optimistic something will happen before close of trading on Monday tea-time.

"The majority of things are done in the last two or three days of the window because of certain things that go on," he said. "But we are hoping over the next 48 hours something will happen.

"There are so many other variables - like clubs, players, managers, agents and finances. You are never confident because there is always something that could upset someone and that makes sure it does not go through. So I'm never confident until they are sitting here by my side."

Despite travelling with a depleted side, McClaren says he fancies the Teessiders' chances against last year's FA Cup winners.

Jose Mourinho stepped off the Chelsea coach ahead of Wednesday evening's Carling Cup semi-final clash against United clutching a £240 bottle of Barca Velha 1964, a prized vintage of Portugal's finest red, after Ferguson admitted the last drop he received from the Blues' boss tasted 'like paint-stripper'.

McClaren says he will also share a bottle of red with his former boss, but admitted the wine will probably come straight from the bargain bin.

"I'll expect a £5 bottle," quipped McClaren. "I dare not say the name just in case I upset someone, but I'll be taking a cheap one.

"He usually gets a good red wine here (at the Riverside), but seriously, whatever the result, we'll always enjoy a drink after the game.

"I've had no contact with Sir Alex but I did go and see the Chelsea game. They'll be very disappointed about that result and obviously they'll want to do well in the FA Cup, so it'll be a difficult game."

Middlesbrough have enjoyed a reasonable amount of success at Old Trafford of late and they faced a familiar scenario in October when they played United with a team full of youngsters, yet still managed to carve out a 1-1 draw.

The Boro boss says this form against the Red Devils bodes well for the future and believes it is relevant to this afternoon's clash.

"We've had a few good results down there and we know what their strengths and weaknesses are, and we know what we can do.

"We've got players who are capable of scoring goals and we're hoping it will be our day. We need a lot of luck going into a big game like this and we need some inspirational performances from the players. If we get those two, we could get a result.

"We had a young side out against them in October and did very well. It was one of the key games this season so far in the fact that we threw the kids in and they did a job.

"It gives us great confidence when we do have injuries that we can put in the likes of Morrison, McMahon, Downing and people like that.

"It is a big game for United. All the pressure is on them and they are expected to win. We have got to go there enjoy the occasion and believe we can get a result and we will."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.