Window of opportunity: Man City offered January hope in title race as Fergie rules out signing reinforcements for United (so, will Mancini swoop for Walcott?)

PUBLISHED: 04:47 EST, 18 December 2012 | UPDATED: 05:12 EST, 18 December 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out making any January signings to bolster Manchester United’s bid for the Barclays Premier League title, leaving the window open for rivals City to strengthen their squad and catch up with the league leaders.

While City manager Roberto Mancini is expected to add to his star-studded squad as he desperately looks to defend his Premier League title, Ferguson has ruled moving for anyone, including Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

No go: Sir Alex Ferguson will not be signing anyone in January

Walcott’s negotiations over a new contract at the Emirates is ongoing, but Ferguson is refusing to spend an inflated January fee.

Asked if he would make a single signing during the winter window, Ferguson told Yahoo: ‘No, the January transfer market has never been the best transfer market and that has been proven over the years with very few big transfers happening. All the big transfers happen in the summer.’

The United manager, who saw his team maintain their six-point lead over neighbours Manchester City with a 3-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday, is adamant he will not be doing any business in the transfer window unless it is to allow several of his reserve-team players to go out on loan.

Wanted man: Theo Walcott could be at the centre of a transfer tussle

Ferguson, who rarely takes advantage of the mid-season opportunity to augment his first-team squad, believes he has enough resources to cope with challenging for the Premier League title and the European and FA Cups.

‘I will not be bringing anybody in, in January - definitely not,’ he confirmed.

It means that while title rivals City are targeting Atletic Bilbao’s Fernano Llorente; Chelsea are ready to splash on Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao and Walcott and Liverpool want Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince from Blackpool, the United boss will stick with what he has as the club chase a 20th league title.

How many do you want? Roberto Mancini is expected to buy

Walcott’s future at Arsenal is in doubt with the club refusing to agree to his contract demands. But if the Gunners decide to cash in on the winger in January, he is now more likely to end up at Stamford Bridge than Old Trafford.

Ferguson’s confidence comes from now having a fully fit squad at his disposal after skipper Nemanja Vidic returned to the team as a second-half substitute against Sunderland.

‘It will take him a bit of time but that is a start,’ Ferguson said. ‘He is a warrior and he is our captain. He always battles for you and sticks his head on that ball in the penalty area. That is what he is great at.’

Goals from Robin van Persie, Tom Cleverley and Wayne Rooney were enough to claim all three points and Ferguson added: ‘People keep saying we are weak in midfield but these guys are very good players.’

For more insight from Sir Alex Ferguson and other leading managers plus exclusive Barclays Premier League highlights go to www.yahoo.co.uk/sport

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Man City just keep on buying soon they will be sponsoring the premier league and owning other football teams. Pathetic.

- Ghost Writer , CMD, United Kingdom, 18/12/2012 21:56

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City fanboys, despite supporting the current champions, come across as a wee bit bitter. You went for RVP, offered a king's ransom and he said no. Live with it. he chose United and less money. Live with it. You won the league yet still talk like bitter little supporters in United' shadow. Wait a minute......

- Take It As Red , Oldham, 18/12/2012 21:36

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Of course manure are not going to sign anyone they are broke. They've maxed out the overdraft, and shirt sales in Japan has been disappointing especially now that Kagawa is injured. Manure cannot even to sign contract rebels this time round club.

- Louis , London, 18/12/2012 21:35

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PREMIER SPENDING SINCE SUMMER 2006 Abu Stockport------£583m Chelsea -------£420m Liverpool --------£341m Tottenham -------£324m United --------267m Just saying.......................L.U.H.C.

- RED AND HAPPY , MANCHESTER UK, 18/12/2012 21:32

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No no no David. Abu Stockport and United came in for him..the lad said he wanted United. If it was down to money he would be at the council house now..face it. Yes money but no respect, enjoy !!! L.U.H.C.

- RED AND HAPPY , MANCHESTER UK, 18/12/2012 21:13

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Manure are broke and are on their last legs. Complete busted flush they are and they know it. Sham club.- Louis, London:::::: Says the sham fan who supports his fake team through a daily rag, and never goes to games. koko nut

- Gerry , London, United Kingdom, 18/12/2012 21:00

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Take It As Red, Oldham 17.30.......Ian Ladyman (DM journalist) speaking on Talksport radio a few weeks ago said that the deal for Van Persie to join City was agreed by all parties before the end of last season. Man City then stalled on the deal in an attempt to force the price down. Man U offered £24m + £250k per week and Van Persie, understandably, thought that City did not value him as much as Man U did and signed for them. Van Persie, despite what some people maintain, does not turn out for Man U free of charge and would probably be just as happy to give a rendition of "Blue Moon", "Oh when the Spurs go marching in", "You'll never walk alone" or "My old man's a dustman" if the money was right

- David , Manchester England, 18/12/2012 20:16

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Ha ha take it as red, Oldham. Are you on the board at City with your exclusive scoop. Mancini wanted him but a firm offer wasn't even put in. So basically you had a clear run at Van Persie. Cut out the sensationalism, or you may end up working at the DM.

- fordyboy40 , CHESTERFIELD, 18/12/2012 20:13

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Louis @ London The irony just pours out of you bitter boy. Here we have a Chelski fan slating United for buying 'contract rebels' in which im assuming you mean RVP when they have 50mil Torres who is a flop and wishes he could wear RVP's boots never mind play like him and was half the cost! Tell us Louis how many managers will the comedy club Chelsea have next year?

- Machida , Belfast, 18/12/2012 20:08

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Â¿>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And yet the two biggest transfers between English clubs happened in January 2010 - Torres to Chelsea and Carroll to Liverpool. Yes, oh Purple-nosed One - that was JANUARY! Oh right and how did that work out then??

- Krax , MCR, 18/12/2012 19:44

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