The news that Darren Fletcher will be taking an indefinite break from football due to illness only re-affirmed Manchester United’s need to sign a top quality midfielder. United freshly out of the Champions League have been overrun a number of times in midfield this season and many had expected a marquee signing to arrive in the summer to fill the void left by Paul Scholes retirement.

Ferguson has, as always played the situation down but the gulf in class in midfield between them and noisy neighbours Manchester City is widening week by week.

So who, if anyone will Ferguson be looking to bring to Old Trafford in January? United missed out on Samir Nasri in the summer and Spurs held tight onto prized asset Luka Modric. Many believe that United’s owners the Glazers aren’t making the funds available to Ferguson and he may need to operate on a much tighter budget. United can no longer offer players Champions League football either. Possibilities include Cheik Tiote, Daniele De Rossi and Jack Rodwell.

Alternatively, some have suggested that Ferguson tries to tempt Paul Scholes out of retirement as a short term solution…