A Quiet Transfer Window Wouldn't Be the End of the World for Manchester United

If David Moyes has tried to make a statement in the transfer window this summer, the players he inherited made one of their own on the opening weekend of the season.

The new United manager has made no secret of his desire to add to his squad, with bids for Cesc Fabregas, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines.

It's understandable that he wants to put his own mark on a club that has been moulded by Sir Alex Ferguson for more than 26 years.

But while Moyes and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward have tried desperately to bring in that one star signing, the players already at Old Trafford have played two, won two.

Beating Wigan at Wembley to lift the Community Shield was expected of the current champions of England, but the 4-1 win at Swansea on Saturday sent a message to the rest of the league that there is life after Sir Alex.

It's a difficult comparison to make, but Ferguson's United never won so convincingly at the Liberty Stadium, winning 1-0 in 2011 and drawing 1-1 last season.

Players like Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Patrice Evra were central to the victory in Wales, but they're first in line to be replaced in the starting XI should Moyes bring in reinforcements.

Evra especially would have grounds to feel aggrieved and wonder, at 32-years-old, if Old Trafford is the right place for him. 

In a World Cup year, the Frenchman needs to be playing football if he hopes to go to Brazil with his national team next summer. It's unlikely Baines would move to United to be second choice, just as Evra is unlikely to settle for the odd game in the Capital One Cup this season.

And what of the development of Cleverley and Welbeck? Both will hope to be part of the England World Cup squad if Roy Hodgson's side qualify for the tournament next summer.

But their chances of a call-up won't look so good after a season spent on the bench, or in and out of the team.

There's little doubt that United need at least one central midfielder to mount a challenge at home and abroad this season. But if the next 13 days of the transfer window pass without a significant addition, it won't be time to pack up and go home just yet.

The squad Ferguson bequeathed to Moyes have already proved they are up for challenge of carrying on their former manager's winning habit.