Baines remains Man United’s only real target despite title woes

Manchester United’s Premier League title challenge has not so much been derailed as disintegrated after successive home defeats for the first time since the 2001-02 season, yet David Moyes is NOT eyeing up a January influx of fresh blood.

While teething problems were always to be expected, five league defeats have left United with acute toothache and priced at second-glance-taking odds of 33/1 to retain their title with Ladbrokes, while fierce rivals Manchester City remain 13/8 favourites.

Newcastle became the latest team to prosper from United’s distinct lack of confidence by running out 1-0 winners at Old Trafford, to leave the Red Devils floundering 12 points and eight places behind leaders Arsenal.

With the January transfer window now approaching however, Moyes has the opportunity to invigorate his squad, but rightly or wrongly, Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement says he’s unlikely to bring in many new faces.

Moyes said: “In any transfer window you don’t want to be bringing in a full batch of players, so I think there’s a period of time that it takes.

“The last one was a difficult one after just joining the club, so we’ve got a window in January where, if we think it’s right for the club, we’ll do so.”

The word is that the Scot is sure to resume his courtship of injured Everton left-back Leighton Baines, though United fans will surely be more than a little concerned if Moyes doesn’t look to bring in at least one other big name in January.

The champions had been linked with the likes of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and summer target Ander Hererra of Athletic Bilbao, though the latter has since vocalised his desires to stay with the Spanish club.

At least United have a crumb of comfort to be found in the Champions League, where they are 1/1 to beat Shakhtar at Old Trafford, where only a draw will be sufficient to top Group A.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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