Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson shrugged off on Sunday Brazilian Ronaldinho's decision to join Spanish giants Barcelona.

"We're disappointed but not overly so," Ferguson told reporters. "It got to the point where we had to ask" "We have missed out on players before but that's never stopped us."

Ferguson went on the record earlier this month to say he felt Ronaldinho was close to a move to Old Trafford.

The World Cup winner's ability to run past people would have given United an extra dimension as they look to build on last season's English premier league triumph, their eighth title in 11 seasons.

But Ronaldinho completed his move from Paris St Germain to the Nou Camp on Saturday as Ferguson and his United squad was touching down in Portland at the start of their pre-season tour of the United States.

Ronaldinho had also suggested he was looking forward to playing at Old Trafford next season.

"I do not know what the boy was thinking," Ferguson said. "I only spoke to him once and he doesn't speak English, so it was conducted through his brother."

If Ferguson feels under pressure to pull off a significant coup in the transfer market after a frustrating close season, he did not show it during his first public appearance of the US tour.

United play four games during the 16-day trip, against Celtic in Seattle on Tuesday, Club America of Mexico in Los Angeles on July 27, Juventus in New Jersey on July 31 and Barcelona in Philadelphia on August 3.

"Time wise we do not have much time between now and the start of the (premier league) season on August 16, but this tour will help prepare us," he said.

"It has been organised superbly and the players are delighted so far. We have some big games but we should be sharper and have an edge to our game by the end.

"In the bigger picture, it will give the game in north America an extra lift. People want to see exciting games, and it should help inspire the young footballer in this country." 

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