adminWith all teams in the English Premier League chasing the tails of leaders United, as well as battling the drop, there is likely to be plenty of money exchanging hands next month.
Ferguson has generally been reluctant to conduct any winter business, although Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic arrived in 2006 and keeper Anders Lindegaard the only high-profile Christmas signing (2011) since then.
When asked if there were areas of his squad he wanted to strengthen, Ferguson told Eurosport-Yahoo!: “No. The January transfer market has never been the best market and that has proved itself over the years.
“You get very few big transfers — all the big transfers are done in the summer.”
One acquisition during the summer that continues to delight Ferguson is striker Robin van Persie.
A haul of 15 goals in 21 games in all competitions since his £24m move from Arsenal has helped his side open up a six-point gap at the Premier League summit.
With Eric Cantona’s arrival from Leeds in 1992 inspiring the team to four league titles, Ferguson feels Van Persie can act as a similar catalyst to success.
“I think it is happening. The attacking aspect of our game has definitely improved,” Ferguson added.
“He has a similar profile to Eric. There is a maturity about him. He had a great spell at Arsenal so there was no issue with him going from one big club to another. He’s an established international and his profile suited us perfectly.”
Although striker Wayne Rooney and Van Persie have started most of the games this season, Ferguson was in no doubt that having fellow-forwards Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez in the squad was vital.
“Having four is a definite advantage,” said Ferguson, whose team won the treble in 1999 with an attacking quartet of Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Andy Cole.
“It is difficult to manage but they didn’t complain too much back then as long as they got their share of playing and they all made their contribution.
“Hopefully this will apply with the players again. But they will all contribute this season — there is no question about that.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle striker Demba Ba says a move to Arsenal would be appealing with his escape clause set to be reactivated in January.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew has become increasingly frustrated in recent weeks with continued speculation over the 27-year-old and his contract situation.
The Senegal forward, who has bagged 11 goals this season, has a condition in his contract which had to be activated by July by any club wanting to take advantage of it.
This failed to happen in the summer but, while the current deal remains in place, the £7,5 million buy-out clause will continue to be activated during each transfer window.
Ba, whose current deal at St James’ Park expires in 2014, is aware of reports linking him with a move to Arsenal ahead of the January window.
“It is true that Arsenal are among the clubs that are tempting,” Ba said.
“Journalists are doing their job, they know Arsenal need strikers and they know I have a clause in my contract so they start speculating.”
Newcastle will be desperate to cling on to their prized possession as they sit uncomfortably two points above the drop zone having lost six times in their last seven games.
Pardew told Sky Sports last week: “The clause is always hanging over us and it makes it difficult for us, the club and him. We accept that and that’s the way football is.”
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back from the 3-1 defeat by Premier League champions
Manchester City last week when they host struggling QPR at the weekend.
“Next Saturday is QPR, and at the slightest mistake the crowd will become very demanding,” Ba added.
“If we repeat the same performance we put in last weekend I think it will be enough. You shouldn’t forget that we played the reigning champions.
“It bothers me a bit when the team doesn’t create much, because football is about beautiful play.
“People come to the stadium to watch good football and not to watch long balls from the goalie to the striker.” — Sky Sports.
Online Reporter