With a crucial Premier League game against league leaders Chelsea just a week away, Manuel Pellegrini might have been tempted to rest some of his stars against Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Premier League champions shelled out £30million on Ivorian forward Wilfried Bony as transfer deadline day approaches but here is MM’s take on other movement in the market.

A poll by bookmaker William Hill to identify the most ‘weather hardened fans’ gave United 23% of the vote – not surprisingly coming behind the Premier League’s two North-East sides Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Lampard was seen receiving treatment for a muscle injury before City took on Hamburg in an Abu Dhabi friendly but the 36-year-old asked his manager to let him play.

Bury manager David Flitcroft has urged the Premier League to support the professionalisation of referees in the Football League after criticising the standard of officiating.

Colombian striker Falcao missed a hatful of gilt-edged opportunities on Saturday afternoon as United stayed in the top four, a point above Arsenal who turned over champions Manchester City.

City are currently two points behind Chelsea in the Premier League and play host to the Gunners at The Etihad on Sunday.

How the impending signing of Swansea City’s Wilfried Bony will help Manchester City’s title chase against Chelsea.

Despite controlling much of the proceedings at Old Trafford, United failed to register a single shot on target, with Dusan Tadic’s well-taken effort enough to secure victory for Ronald Koeman’s high-flying Saints.

With Chelsea overcoming a stubborn Newcastle side at Stamford Bridge, the result leaves City two points behind ahead of the top two sides’ meeting in three weeks’ time.

A gruelling three games in six days over Christmas/New Year, highlighting strengths and exposing weaknesses in any squad, showed up United despite Louis van Gaal’s big ambitions at the club.