January Sales for Manchester United

Manchester United have the second best scoring record and best defensive stats in the Premiership, and cruised to first place in their Champions League group—hardly the sign of a team who need to make transfers, right?

I think only one player is really needed—a front man who can offer something a bit different. We know how to play one style very well and we have Cristiano Ronaldo who can win a match on his own, but after that we don't seem to be able to penetrate as we've seen in a couple of games this season (Reading, Bolton, and nearly Sunderland).

Another factor to take into consideration is how injury prone Saha and Rooney can be. We've always had four strikers we can call on and if you look around the Premiership so have the other top teams. There doesn't seem to be a wealth of talent down the reserves. Fergie has occasionally used Dong but he has been found wanting in and around the box.

So what possible striking options are there? Looking at the papers the most common suspects are:

1. Anelka—Personally my favored option, he would offer something different with pace and power and a true box striker. The only downside—Chelsea's interest could push the asking price far too high.

2. Berbatov—He is another good option, but is he too similar in style to what we have with Rooney and Tevez? He would want to be first choice and temperament could let him down if forced to start from bench. Spurs will not let him go easily and it's likely that the transfer fee could be too high.

3. Defoe—He is small and quick, and certainly has an eye for goal, but I don't think he is quite Utd class. He tends to put his head down and run with the ball while not looking for the best options.

4. Adriano—He is totally out of the reckoning at Inter Milan. It seems what could have been a great player is letting aspects outside of the game influence him with his Playboy lifestyle. He does have everything to his game—pace, power, shooting, heading—but does he want to show them anymore? With Inter seemingly unwilling to let him go on loan, a high transfer fee could either be the best or worst choice of Fergie's transfer forays.

I don't think Fergie will really want to bring someone in from abroad who is unfamiliar with the English game, as he has recently said (using the example of Vidic and Evra) that it takes too long to adapt.

I find it hard to understand the links with Nicky Shorey and can only believe this to be his agent trying to up his price. We have Evra there as first choice and O'Shea as back up, plus the Brazilian twins coming in January or next summer.

A right back could be an option. Neville is still out and although Brown has been an excellent replacement, it is a slight miracle that he has not yet picked up any injuries.

What if he does? There is Simpson who deserves a chance, and John O'Shea could also fill in. Fergie has sometimes played Fletcher at right back as well. Remember we also have Pique and Evans so I think the defense is adequately covered.