English Analysis: Will Manchester United Come To Regret Not Splashing The Cash In January?

t's the end of another transfer window and Sir Alex Ferguson – either under the orders of those on high or through his own thrift – has failed to spend midway through the season, again.

Only one new player, Anders Lindegaard, whose signing from Aalesund was long ago wrapped up, has been brought in by the wily boss this winter.

Some might say that at the top of the table, Manchester United don't need to add new faces to a side that is presently unbeaten in the Premier League and looking formidable with a streak of meaty comebacks.

Others would argue that these comebacks have been necessary due to inherent weaknesses in the squad, and with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar all edging closer to retirement it would be better to bring players in pronto and blood them as replacements, giving the side an edge on their rivals in the title race with a glut of hungry players itching to prove they've got what it takes.

United have had mixed fortunes in past transfer windows, with Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra proving to be excellent signings in January 2006, but have also spent big on flops like Zoran Tosic and Manucho. 

So has Ferguson done the right thing this January?

In safe hands?   

With Edwin van der Sar announcing his retirement at the end of the season, Ferguson will surely be looking to bring in a replacement for the Dutchman. In Lindegaard and Tomas Kuszczak he has an unknown quantity and a player not good enough to take on the No.1 jersey come the summer.

Maarten Stekelenburg, David De Gea and Manuel Neuer appear to be the leading candidates for the job, with goalkeeping coach Rene Meulensteen revealing that the Dutchman is the top man. 

Ferguson can be forgiven for not buying in winter given the extraordinary difficulties of bringing in a goalkeeper during such a short amount of time – few clubs are willing to let go of their most irreplaceable players in January, and there are arguably no more difficult spots to fill than that of a goalkeeper.

And, of course, Ferguson may have been waiting on Van der Sar to make a decision about his future before deciding on whether or not to bring in a goalkeeper. 

Having only just found out last week, it's understandable that he is prepared to wait until the summer to see what to do – be that to entrust Lindegaard or spend on a replacement. One thing Ferguson can ill afford is to wait nigh-on 10 years to find a new goalkeeper, as happened when Peter Schmeichel left the club.

Possible targets: Stekelenburg (£8 million), De Gea (£20m), Neuer (£20m), Pepe Reina (£30m)

The case for the defence

While Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra are undoubtedly among the best in the business in their respective positions, beyond that there is some cause for concern. The FA Cup tie with Southampton showed just how fragile United's backline is without its first choice starters. 

Yet in Chris Smalling and Rafael, United have two of the most promising defensive youngsters in the league. The latter earned a call-up to the Brazil squad – no mean feat with Maicon and Dani Alves to compete with at right-back – after earning praise before being knocked out at Blackpool, while the former has the makings of a steady centre-back.

Evans could yet make it as a first team regular if he learns from his peers, but Fabio has yet to show that he will make as much of an impact as his twin brother has done.

The defence could certainly have done with an extra body for security, especially if Evra or Rafael pick up an injury in the tail end of the season as their runs down the left carry a tremendous threat, with John O'Shea unable to provide such an outlet when he deputises out wide.

Possible targets: Paulo Ferreira (£2m), Jose Bosingwa (£5m)

Stuck in the middle?

The hub of it all for United, but this season, perhaps more than in recent ones, it's been the brilliance of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes that have kept the league leaders ticking – indeed, the turnaround at Bloomfield Road last week was largely a result of the Welshman's introduction.


Darren Fletcher remains the club's only other steady centre-midfielder besides Scholes, with Michael Carrick too often going missing on the pitch and Owen Hargreaves sadly anonymous with a series of injuries.

Darron Gibson is a very poor man's excuse for a midfielder in a title-chasing side, with a tendency to blast wildly from distance rather than retain the ball.

On the flanks it's a slightly different story as Nani has been a sensation this season and the return of Antonio Valencia will provide an extra string to the bow of United's attack. The Ecuadorian winger delivers a consistently excellent cross and can stretch the play with his pace, giving the side balance and an additional threat. Park Ji-Sung may be a brilliant runner, but he lacks the finesse to be a source of danger.

A centre-midfielder and/or a winger would have done United's chances no harm.

Possible targets: Charlie Adam (£10m), Ashley Young (£18m)

Leading from the front

It's just as well that Dimitar Berbatov has been banging them in this season as the form of Wayne Rooney has been utterly dreadful. Only in recent weeks has the England man got anywhere near his best and an abject display at Blackpool served as a reminder that the 25-year-old still hasn't got his head together.

The same can't be said for the man that many thought would have been a bargain buy and the like-for-like replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – Michael Owen. Injuries have limited him at United, but the former Liverpool man has lost his pace and struggles to link the play. 

While he retains that killer instinct, he is a pale shadow of his former self and with Bebe yet to learn how to walk in the first team, any serious injuries to one or more of the starting three strikers could thrust the ageing and increasingly witless Owen into the fold.

Possible targets: Amauri (loan), Danny Welbeck (loan recall)

Right or wrong?

Ferguson may live to regret not bringing in an extra midfielder, but his logic in not spending big on a new goalkeeper, who would have to squeeze out the perfectly fine Edwin van der Sar for the remainder of the season, is sane.

He may well be taking a risk on not bringing in a versatile defender, but if Evra and Rafael remain fit for the rest of the season then United should be fine.

By Nick Price, Goal.com

Arsenal face Arshavin frustration

Arsenal's attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg is being held up by the Russian club's demands, according to his agent.

The Gunners and Italian side Juventus have been linked with a £20m deal, but Dennis Lachter says Zenit want the fee to be paid in only one instalment.

He said: "They want the money in one go. They did it that way when they got Danny for £24m and they want the same.

"Many clubs are afraid of how Zenit and other Russian clubs do business."

Despite Zenit's stance, Lachter says he is still confident Arshavin will be leaving the club in the January transfer window.

"There are 10, 15, 20 teams who are interested in him. The question is can they afford him?"

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat has confirmed Arsenal's interest in the 27-year-old who shone during Euro 2008.

"I am aware that Arsenal are interested but I don't know any more than that," said Dutchman Advocaat.

"Arshavin played well for us last season but he didn't play as well as he can. There's still more to come from him and people will see that."

In December, Lachter told BBC Sport that Zenit and the player, who was linked with a move to Tottenham in the summer, had agreed that he should find a new club in January.

"He will definitely move in January or the player and club will lose money," he said.

But Lachter denied reports that the player had visited both the training grounds of Arsenal and Spurs on a recent trip to London.

Milan fans urge Kaka to stay in "farewell" game

The future of Kaka remains shrouded in doubt, despite the overwhelming support of 65,000 fans and his AC Milan team-mates on Saturday night.

The Brazil playmaker put his hand to his heart as he left the field of play at the end of his side's 1-0 win over Fiorentina, waving emotionally and applauding the fans who have grown to love him over the past five years.

His team-mates all took turns in hugging him in scenes which could easily be interpreted as a send-off from the Lombardian city.

Kaka now faces an unprecedented test of character in deciding whether to accept Manchester City's millions - and turn his back on the affection shown so palpably - or stay put.

"The fans showed a great gesture of affection to Kaka,'' said Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti. "I don't think this was his last game for Milan. I hope he stays because he is an important player for us.''

But Kaka certainly faces a difficult decision - one his team-mate Gianluca Zambrotta does not envy him for.

"If I were offered 15 million a year, I don't know what I would do,'' said the Italian. "This is a choice of a lifetime and it is hard to make up your mind just like that.

However, while manifesting their desire to keep hold of the undeniably talented 26-year-old, Milan have already expressed their willingness to negotiate a fee with City.

Earlier, Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi claimed he would not attempt to obstruct the deal, admitting it would be "very difficult'' to force the player to remain with his club in view of the millions being offered by City.

Ancelotti admitted he has already contemplated life after Kaka.

"If he were to leave, I would be very sorry,'' he admitted. "If things were to change, then I would have to consider a team without Kaka. He is very important and certainly the squad would change.

Alexandre Pato, who scored the winning goal last night to move onto six goals in his last four Serie A games, gave the club's fans reason to believe the world would not fall apart if Kaka left.

At the age of 19, he has already shown more than just odd glimpses of his ability, and the Milan faithful seem ready to adopt him, as is Ancelotti.

"Pato is very strong,'' he said. "And he is only going to get better. He has immense quality and can still show a lot more in front of goal.''

Negotiations to sell Kaka can, therefore, seemingly move on. The player's father, who also acts as his agent, is expected in Milan tomorrow to discuss the options, although there will be no rush in reaching a conclusive decision.

"It will not be like the Normandy landings,'' said Milan's general manager Adriano Galliani.

"We will consider things and take a decision together. Nobody has signed anything - not the club nor the player. He is still a Milan player, we are just evaluating and considering.

Clarence Seedorf said: "I would be surprised if he left. I don't think he has made up his mind yet, but it would surprise me if he left us in January.''

David Beckham has only just joined the Serie A club and admits he would like to get to know Kaka a bit better over the next two months before he returns to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"He's a great lad and it's great to play in the team with him,'' he said. "He is one of the best players in the world and it is obvious that the best players are always the focus of speculation.

Milan have reportedly agreed to let Kaka hear what City have to offer, but Beckham still expects Kaka to follow his heart.