It may ultimately be remembered as a season-defining game for Manchester United against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United are still nowhere near their pomp and Arsenal are better now than they have been in years. The home side found themselves hanging on for large chunks of the second half in a desperate attempt to stay in the title race.
They succeeded in their quest and all of a sudden the table looks very different. Manchester United are now ahead of rivals City and only one point behind Chelsea. Liverpool and Arsenal are further ahead but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to sustain a title challenge until May.
So as long as Manchester United have the big two in their sites they will be very satisfied.
But you do feel that this is the start of a long road for David Moyes in which he will mould the team into his image.
It is notoriously difficult to sign players in January due to their being cup-tied and wanting to stay at clubs until the end of the season.
But we believe that two players could well come in in January. Neither of them are cup tied so they can both play in The Champions League straightaway. And there is a feeling that both players want to join Manchester United.
Leigthon Baines
Patrice Evra has been one of the standout performance for Manchester United this season. But he is well into his 30s and there is no obvious cover at left back. Leighton Baines has had a fantastic season for Everton so far and Manchester United must still be looking at him covetously.
We think David Moyes may well go back in for the player in January in order to strengthen his left side. He may well decide to play a more narrow formation in midfield as the games get more important and Leighton Baines would fit in well as a wing back to the Manchester United side.
Ander Herrera
The strangest transfer business on deadline day in the summer was that of Ander Herrera. That is all in the past now and David Moyes seemingly retains an interesting player.
The question is whether Manchester United are this time prepared to pay buyout clause of the player. If they do Herrera will add invention and technique to the centre of Manchester United team. But David Moyes will want to see this player action again to make sure that he gets his transfer plans right, after the underwhelming start made by Marouane Fellaini to life at Manchester United
Manchester United fans, will these two improve the first team?
Let’s see Herrera in action for Atletic
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Smartest
Nov 13, 2013 at 6:26 am
It is a good development.
Smartest
Nov 13, 2013 at 6:27 am
Nice 1
Trevor
Nov 13, 2013 at 10:52 am
Although Leyton Baines is a top player I think the amount of money United will pay for
Him could be better spent on a younger player.
I agree withHerrera but United need a world class holding midfielder. As well.
aidan
Nov 13, 2013 at 9:06 am
I hope we don’t get Herrera, he’s a good player but I don’t think he’ll make the difference. No assists or goals all season ? Need some real quality gundogan, koke.. so on . Think woodward will want to make a marquee signing after the summer transfer window.
Kassim umar saeed
Nov 13, 2013 at 11:32 am
Man u shd get gundogan and reus
Chris ubah
Nov 13, 2013 at 6:34 pm
We fans needs strong attacker like Lewandosik nd fabrigas, dat will be helping man u when others like Rooney, van persie nd Hernandez are nt around.
Rich
Nov 13, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Baines, absolutely as he is very incisive and equal to evra in quality. Herra im not so sure we need a player like strootman why we never signed him god only knows. Step up man u lets carry on kicking ass. As for retaining roony im ecstatic best player in prem by a country mile