Surely Manchester United needs to strengthen their squad in January?

Manchester United boss says it is unlikely that his club will sign anybody in the January transfer window

Manchester United boss David Moyes has stated that he does not believe that the Red Devils will be making any signings in January, despite the champions currently sitting in seventh position in Premier League table, 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

January

Asked if he would be making any signings the United boss replied: “I don’t think so. I think most of the business will be more towards the summer rather than January.”

I do not think those were the words ones that United fans wanted to hear coming out of their managers mouth at this point.

The majority of Red Devils fans were looking forward to fresh faces arriving at the club in the winter transfer window.

Galling

Manchester United were on a good run, until that run faltered with a galling 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham on New Year’s Day. It was the champion’s fourth home loss of the season, which really is unheard of in the Premier League era.

Transition

The word transition seems to be en vogue this season in the Premier League. The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City were said to be going through transitional seasons at the start of the campaign. Of course Moyes old club Everton were also in a transitional period due to the appointment of a new boss in Roberto Martinez, which has gone very well so far.

Manchester United are in the biggest transitional season of all those clubs. The Red Devils had to replace the most successful manager in Premier League history in Sir Alex Ferguson. It was never going to be easy, but the least United fans expected was a top four finish this season.

In their current state they could struggle to achieve that aim. The teams above them have improved immensely. United are currently five points behind fourth place Liverpool, which does not seem like a great deal.

However, the likes of Everton and Liverpool are looking far stronger this season and even Tottenham have dragged themselves back into the race for the Champions League, after Tim Sherwood’s appointment as boss. The fight for the top four could go right down to the wire this season, just like last season.

Midfield

Anybody with an ounce of football knowledge can see that Manchester United are lacking in the central midfielder area. The £27million signing of Marouane Fellaini on transfer deadline day looks like a massive error on Moyes part.

United needed a central midfielder under Sir Alex Ferguson, but the legendary Scot managed to drag his squad through season after season. However, David Moyes does not seem to have the same motivational skills as the veteran boss, well not yet anyway.

Doubts

David Moyes will be given time at Manchester United there is no doubt about that. Ferguson was given time to build a team in his early years at the club, but football is a far more cutthroat world these days.

Managers get less time and a run of bad results can leave to a manager getting the chop. Although Moyes was seen as a long-term appointment, I wonder what the Manchester United owners and directors would make of their club finishing outside the lucrative Champions League spots.

It would be a financial and sporting disaster for a club the size of United. The Red Devils have built the club up on being in the Champions League year upon year. United not being in the Champions League is unthinkable for their fans.

Even if Manchester United does not qualify for the Champions League they will still be regarded as a massive club. However, it may be slightly tougher for the Red Devils to attract players to the club without Champions League football. Just like fans, footballers are fickle and have short memories.

Also Moyes has not yet built a big enough reputation to attract big name players, which is a problem for a boss at a club of the stature of Moyes.

Disappointing

If Manchester United fails to finish in the top four this season then most Manchester United fans will be disappointed with their team and Moyes in particular. With the Premier League title looking very unlikely, United are odds of 11/8 to finish in the top four this season.

Past Premier League seasons have taught us not to write-off Manchester United, but that was United under Sir Alex Ferguson, not David Moyes. I am not so sure the younger Scot has what it takes to help United into the top four, despite the damning fact that the former-Everton boss inherited a title winning squad at Old Trafford.

Will Manchester United sign anybody in January?