Old Trafford Lounge

"We can definitely find the money for a big deal, 100%," the United manager said. "I know that because the money was available this summer. We were very close to a major, major signing, and if it had gone through it would have definitely shown what the club is worth. We didn't do it in the end, we didn't quite get there because players had chosen other clubs or made different decisions, but we were close to a couple of major signings and we didn't miss out because of money, that's for sure."

My bet is he says completely neutral things that are spun to sound negative

I was due to take Van Persie off after 60 minutes, but if I had, people would have said, 'What are you doing?'

Manchester United currently lie 7th in the Premier League table, 11 points off top and 5 points off 4th.

With a squad clearly incapable of challenging for the league, fans and pundits alike were expecting at least one or two significant signings in January.

However, when asked if he’ll be making any January signings David Moyes has been quoted in tomorrow’s Mirror on Sunday saying “I don’t think so. I think most of the business will be more towards the summer rather than January.”

Although it may be difficult to bring in top signings in January, it will be even more difficult to attract top players if there is no Champions League on offer this summer.

Perhaps the Manchester United manager has learnt his lesson from the public failure of his bids for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.

On Roma’s Daniele De Rossi, Moyes was quoted as saying “We did certainly think about bringing him in the summer time. I don’t think it went as far as a bid.”

You don’t think you bid for him? Dear oh dear, David!