Manchester United’s season of struggle continued on Sunday afternoon, but David Moyes has claimed he will unlikely add to his squad this month.
It looks almost certain that the Reds will not retain the Premier League title this season, with six defeats from their first 20 games leaving them in eighth position and some 11 points behind current leaders Arsenal. And their campaign hit another low on Sunday, when Swansea City dumped them out of the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford.
But speaking ahead of this 2-1 defeat, which was secured with a late Wilfried Bony header for the visitors, Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor revealed that he would unlikely add to his squad during the January window. Considering he only signed Marouane Fellaini, from former club Everton, in the summer, this is sure to be worrying for fans.
“January is not an easy month to purchase in,” said Moyes. “We have a good, big squad that is getting stretched at the moment because of the number of games. But everybody picks up injuries at this time of year. We are no different and will use the squad. I think most of the business will be more towards the summer rather than January.”
Despite these comments, United’s woes continued during their Cup defeat with Rio Ferdinand limping off with what looked like a knee injury in the second half, whilst his replacement, Fabio da Silva, faces a suspension after being sent off. Elsewhere, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Phil Jones, Ashley Young Rafael, Fellaini and Nani are also currently unavailable through injury, leaving Moyes short of options.
Some sources claim that United will add to their squad in the coming weeks, with Fabio Coentrao, who almost joined on deadline day in August, set to complete a move to Old Trafford. The attacking left fullback, 25, is out of favour at Real Madrid, and the Sunday Mirror claim Moyes could secure his signature in a £12million deal.
