Manchester United have confirmed the signings of both Paul Scholes and Ben Amos to stay with the club. As expected, Scholes accepted the offer to continue with Sir Alex Ferguson's side for an additional year following his return from a short-lived retirement last fall. As mentioned in the Summer Transfer Thread fanpost, this is important because it reduces the urgency of the squad to find a replacement for the Ginger Ninja (best nickname in sports? I vote yes.). There was a concern that transfer fees would be increased by teams knowing the Red Devils needed immediate help in the center of the pitch, much the way that Arsenal were forced to pay more for the likes of Mikel Arteta and Per Mertersacker following the 8-2 defeat in August.

Additionally, Ben Amos penned a three year extension to continue with the club through the 2015 season. While getting only a single Premier League match this year, it is believed Amos will continue to develop and become a legitimate conteder for time as the United number 1 in the future. The more likely scenario is he will go out on loan to a Championship side this coming year and a lower level Premier League squad the next in hopes of continued development and maturation. With the relative youth of Sir Alex's current number 1 and 2 keepers, it may be difficult for Amos to find minutes at Old Trafford, however.

For more transfer window discussion and news, check out the transfer threads throughout the summer.

This looks to be a transfer window of change and uncertainty for Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United squad. There are obvious holes to fill in the first 11 and it starts in the engine room. Despite the impact his return had on the second half of the season and commitment to stay on for another year, Paul Scholes isn't getting any younger and there are constant worries that his 37 (soon to be 38) year old legs will begin to show their age, like they did during the '10-'11 campaign.

Additionally, the health concerns involving Darren Fletcher are possibily the most important piece to the moves that will be made this off-season. Fletcher brought something to the squad that no other player on the roster does with his high work-rate and box to box movement. This midfield aspect was missing throughout the season after his departure and was illustrated here by Gene in an article. If the training room staff feel that he can be fit longterm, I see the need for an instant impact CM dimish slightly.

The season long injury battles of Tom Cleverley and Anderson are also worth mentioning due their brilliance in attack at the start of the season. Assuming one of them is able to return to full time action and become a dependable player, health-wise, the squad would be much better positioned going into next year, thus eliminating the type of desperation spending that some teams are want to do.

With the potential for a Fabio loan, the injury concerns of Rafael, and poor form/extensive use of Patrice Evra, cover at both fullback positions appears to be another priority for this summer. Right back is in much better position with the ability to move either Phil Jones or Chris Smalling to there, but left back will be a one man show with the loss of Fabio, as has been rumored. This is a position that many have called for reinforcments as long ago as 2010 and is a real problem if not addressed in this window.

The final position that Alex Ferguson may seek to strengthen is in attack. With the confirmed departure of Michael Owen and the highly likely move by Dmitar Berbatov, there will only be 3 first team strikers on Manchester United's squad. A striker, however, might not be the position in which Ferguson decides to move. While watching rumored United target Shinji Kagawa, it is apparent that he plays as a midfielder positioned much higher up the pitch than any player in the current rotation. This would fit the style that Ferguson has preferred to play during previous, and more successful, European campaigns and may be a move to return to this strategy. With that said, the signing of a young striker with high potential, a la Chicharito, is definitely a possibility.

After the jump is a table with possible moves in and out of the club.....

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According to Forbes, Manchester United tops the list of both most valuable football club in the world. Is this good news though? Its always nice to head a list and show that your brand is known worldwide but as the estimated value of the club goes up, I fear so does the resolve of the Glazer family to hold out for that magical $2 billion that they have been rumoured to be seeking.

The article throws out numbers like $192 million in TV broadcast revenue and $80 million from the run to the final in the UEFA Champion's League last year. That's alot of money and could easily buy the Red Devils at least two Andy Carroll's this summer. With the amount of debt currently over the head of the club, will even 50% of that money make into the transfer coffers? Sadly, I think not. This was a valuation of the club based on 2011 and we have seen from previous reports that United's bank account has no where near this amount of money in it.

I hope I am wrong and the money has some how made its way to Sir Alex Ferguson but I think not. Sadly, as the valuation on the club continues to rise, it becomes that much harder for the Glazers to walk away with what they perceive as "a good deal."

In Manchester United's second game in three days, Sir Alex Ferguson's side featured only 3 changes from the one that defeated QPR on the weekend. The Red Devils played as if they expected a game Wigan squad to roll over and capitulate. However, Roberto Martinez's men dictated the opening 10 minutes and kept United pinned in their defensive third throughout the stretch.

Eventually, United appeared to grab hold of the game and create some half chances. The best of these chances fell to Javier Hernandez on the right side of the box who took a touch onto his left foot and was dispossessed by a last ditch challenge just as he squared to shoot. This would prove to be the only real opportunity for the Red Devils in the half as Wigan got back on the front foot for the rest of the half.

In what has been the story of the last week, the referees had a major influence on precedings at the DW Stadium around the 30 mion mark. Wigan won a corner on the left that was whipped in right at the edge of the six yard box. Victor Moses slipped Patrice Evra and coolly finished completely unmarked. The linesman, however, flagged for a foul on the goal line for obstructing David de Gea. Replays showed definite contact but in my opinion de Gea should have been able to get through the Wigan player. Instead he chose to absorb the contact without making the effort to get to the ball. This illustrates the one part of de Gea's game that needs some serious work.

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Honestly, could anything have gone better for Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United side today? Probably not. The Red Devils thoroughly outplayed their opponent and unlike last week, completely deserved to collect the three points. Just as important for United is the shocking result that Swansea City got at home versus Manchester City in rather controversial fashion. Nonetheless, the City loss and Manchester United win means the Devils are a point clear at the top.

As has been customary of late, Manchester United allowed West Bromwich Albion to start well and for the first 10 mins it looked to be a tense affair throughout the match. However, United soon began to dictate play and provide attack upon attack through the unplayable Ashley Young down the left side. Whether this tactic was due to the form of Young or the inclusion of striker Danny Welbeck as the wide right player is debatable. Regardless of the reasoning, Sir Alex's side was able to provide some brilliant buildup play with one touch passing that all originated down the left. The play of Welbeck down the right was very reminiscent of the way Man City play David Silva as he continually drifted inside between the lines to link up play with Rooney, Hernandez, and Young. This movement by Welbeck lead to the passage of play in which United got their opener. The Red Devils had a lopsided shape with the lack of a wide right player, as a result Hernandex began to drift out there in search of the ball. On the goal he got the ball 1 v 1 with the WBA defender at the edge of the box, cut left and took a hard shot to the far corner. Rooney made an intelligent and well timed run to deflect the shot past an out stretched Ben Foster in the 35th minute. United had another opportunity immediately following the goal when Phil Jones headed wide after more outstanding wing play by Ashley Young found Jones unmarked at the far post. The final 10 minutes of the half was more domination by Manchester United by the second would not come. The halftime possession stats tell the story as Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick kept possession in search of unlocking the WBA back 4 to the tune of a 3 to 1 advantage.

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Ahead of this Saturday's Premier League match-up between Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, and the rest of Manchester United and a Liverpool squad led by a finally fit Steven Gerrard and just returned Luis Suarez, we took your questions to our sister site, Anfield Asylum. Adam/Bromantic did an excellent job of answering them yet again. In case you missed it the first two times it was posted, check out his answers from January here. Hopefully Alex Ferguson has the lads ready to play and we see some football like the last 30 mins versus Chelsea.

Also, check out Rory's answers to their questions on the Liverpool blog. They include some thought provoking questions like, "How old does a Man U player have to be to get a "y" at the end of their name like Giggsy, Scholesy or Cleverley?" I can't make stuff like that up. Rory did his best but we have to be fair, its not like they gave him filet mignon to cook with.

How confident are you of getting a result at OT?
I guess it depends on what you consider a result. To me, a point away in a game like this is a fantastic result. The games are always so dicey and unpredictable that I would nearly always take that if offered before the game. I think we could nick a point. Taking three seems a bit more unlikely though, especially if Carroll starts as this changes the whole approach Liverpool take to the game.

How do you think Kenny will set out his side? It is believed he set out his side with three CB's, but changed when we only used Danny Welbeck up top on his lonesome?
I think he will be more traditional this time since I fully expect Rooney to feature this go around. The line up we used against Tottenham proved fairly effective. It was essentially a 4-3-3 and it did very well at keeping Spurs pinned deep.

How much money will you put on Andy Carroll to score? (Considering how much you put on will be how much you lose? :D)
It depends, is it your money or my money? If it is my money, I would bet against it. If it is yours, then I'd bet the farm and we can split the profits if it comes good.

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Saturday brings another round of the biggest rivalry in the Barclay's Premier League. Manchester United vs Liverpool at Old Trafford. This matchup comes on the heels of the 4th round FA Cup tie at the end of January and figures to be just as exciting as that affair. Hopefully for us United fans, Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney, and the rest of the Red Devils can leave victorious this time.

The editor/authors here put together an impromptu Q&A with our sister site, Anfield Asylum, at that time. For this fixture we are hoping for your input as well. Please feel free to ask whatever question comes to mind but keep it in good taste. Obviously Luis Suarez is a lightning rod for debate but good questions are more than welcome on the subject. If you would like to hear why Andy Carroll looks like a meth head more and more by the day, ask. To get to the bottom of how its possible that Kenny Dalglish hasn't realized that Stewart Downing is left-footed, throw that in the comments as well.

The Busby Babe member and Anfield Asylum author, Bromantic(Adam), will be our guest for this exchange. Please read his comments from two weeks ago here. He provided some in-depth answers then, and I'm sure he will do the same this round.

Rory and Gene got some questions together for our resident Liverpool supporter, Bromantic, before tomorrow's FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Liverpool. Adam was kind enough to provide us with some in-depth responses. I get the impression he likes us much more than his Liverpool brethren so feel free to post any further questions for him in the comments.

* How important is reaching the Carling Cup final for you and other supporters? Is there more significance to it since Liverpool has not won a trophy since 2006 (I think) and also because this would be your 1st appearance at the new Wembley?
I think the idea of silverware is very enticing for the supporters after what is a long drought. I think just getting something, if we get past Cardiff City, will be a huge boost to a frustrated squad and fanbase who have endured a few years of turmoil. It will be the first sign that there might be a little stability at Anfield. Very few of the current players have won a trophy for Liverpool; that includes the likes of Dirk Kuyt and it feels like he has been here forever. It is indeed our first appearance at the new Wembley, but people forget we also closed out the Millenium Stadium's stint as host while Wembley was finishing construction with the "Stevie G Final" in 2006. It was just an amazing goal he had past Shaka Hislop and overall an emotional rollercoaster ride of a final. So from that perspective being back at Wembley is purely sentimental for me so I really couldn't care less. Then again, I'm not English so that might be part of it as well.

* Can you briefly describe Liverpool's recent tactics? Can Charlie Adam and Steven Gerrard coexist in a two-man midfield? -- they seemed to be overrun by Bolton's midfield. If not, does Adam need to be dropped or should Kenny Dalglish simply turn to a three-man central midfield? What do you believe are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the squad?
Liverpool's recent tactics have been simply to put one striker up top, recently Carroll for obvious reasons, and hoof the ball to him. It usually plays out in a 4-5-1 kind of formation. The problem is Carroll just can't hack it up there alone, neither the work rate nor ability is there. As for Gerrard and Adam, I think they can co-exist, but it will take time. They both had superb games against City to reach the Carling Cup finals. I think it is partly a product of them not having played together due to Stevie's groin which is clearlt made of wet cardboard and apparently he also has a compromised immune system. They were definitely overrun by Bolton, but I think throughout the game they seemed to be occupying each other's space which has happened a number of games this season with Henderson and Adam as well. Carroll's inability to hold up the ball certainly doesn't help the situation. I would rather see the 4-2-2-2 that worked well towards the beginning of the season as well. I should also make mention of Kenny's recent use of the 6-3-1 at City in the first leg of the Carling Cup. That is how you park a bus in front of net; an Airbus, A380.
As for the biggest strengths, that has to be Stevie G. He is Liverpool through and through and that has been evident by the performances he has put in since his return. There is just something about his presence on the pitch the lifts his teammates. He also has fantastic vision and ability and it has been a real help to the team in stretching the field and link up play that was lacking early on. After the performance against City, I would like to see him play in the hole behind Bellamy just as he did with Torres in one of his more successful campaigns in the past. In addition, our back four have been fantastic. It would only take a few more goals or a little more luck off the woodwork (which Liverpool have struck I believe 19 times this season) to be in third right now.

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This looks to be an interesting January window. With the injuries to the Manchester United squad, I look forward to seeing if Sir Alex Ferguson will look for a solution or decide to wait it out for the return to fitness of all the casualties. It is a similar situation to 2009(I believe) when Ferguson decided not to spend when there was a dearth of defending options due to injury.

The one place I, and I'm sure everyone else, pray a replacement is pursued is central midfield. The loss return of Paul Scholes is still being felt and the long term illness of Darren Fletcher just adds to the lack of options. The sight of Rafael in central midfield is something I hope to never witness again. Let's all hope a quality addition is found in this window to help for the run-in.

More after the jump.....

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Well that was nice on a Wednesday afternoon (evening for you Brits). Manchester United started the scoring early with Danny Welbeck's opener in the 4th minute and continued right through to the end with Wayne Rooney's 30 yard swerving effort, and Dmitar Berbatov's cheeky backheel. The only downside was the possible additions of Phil Jones and Ashley Young to the list of broken and/or hobbled that United appear to be accumulating. Jones's injury appears to be a concussion/head injury that he played through for an additional 15 mins before substituting. Young went down awkwardly around the hour mark. Both went off on their own and more info will be provided after the post-match presser.

In the first half United's attack focused on the wings and was lethal when the ball was played wide. Welbeck's opener was a direct product of a brilliant piece of skill from Nani in his position wide left. He was able to beat two Fulham defenders to the touchline and cut the ball back to a completely unmarked Danny Welbeck. That was just a sign of things to come as Nani was able to get the slightest of touches to a Ryan Giggs cross that found the back of the net in the 28th minute and Giggs was able to get on the scoresheet, for the 20th Premier League season in a row, with the assistance of a heavy deflection, after a nice counterattack by the Red Devils in the 43rd.

The second half opened with Fulham pressing to get a foothold in the match and had a handful of half-chances that they couldn't convert. As the clock wound past the 85th minute and the United faithful resigned themselves to another uneventful second half, Rooney popped up with a wonder strike that few in the world could execute any better. With plenty of time and space to turn and face goal from midfield, Wazza took 2 touches and unleashed a cracker that had Fulham keeper David Stockdale rooted to his line in the center of goal as the ball went in off the right post. United weren't done yet, however, as the ball was worked wide through Nani to Antonio Valencia who put in a cross at the edge of the six yard box that Dmitar Berbatov was able to backheel into the goal while holding off his defender.

This is easily the brightest Manchester United attack I have seen since September. The front four attackers were a threat to score with every move into the final third. The midfield pairing of Giggs and Carrick also worked well with the amount of time United maintained possession and the tilt of the game really favored the selection of the more attack minded Giggs over a more conservative Phil Jones. Defensively, there were 15 shots conceded, which is too many, but only one was a legitimate chance that Danny Murphy hit wide at the end. Very encouraging stuff today as Manchester United transition to the second half of the season.

Was it as bad for you as it was for me? For what means like the 15th time this month, United beat an inferior opponent 1-0. In all actuality it is the 4th time in 5 Premier League matches, but you get the point.

United dominated possession for the first 45 minutes and deserved the goal that came after 20 minutes. Nani delivered a nice cross from the left to a completely unmarked midfield playing Phil Jones in the center of the box. He calmly finished with a volley that Shay Given had no chance of saving. United continued to dominate possession and totaled 7 shots on goal through the first period but couldn't find a second, and didn't really even come close. The first half also saw Javier Hernandez stretchered off with an apparently serious ankle injury after only 6 minutes. More from Alex Ferguson in the presser.

The second half can simply be summed up as awful. United lost the possession advantage they had in the first half and let Aston Villa begin to create chances, while the Red Devils never really threatened. I'm sure Gene will have more on this in the review but there was minimal movement from the United front 4 and no creativity through the midfield.

At the end of the day let's all be happy Manchester United got 3 points. The rest of the table is catching up and Spurs only sit 2 points back with a game in hand. The runaway of the Manchester clubs in the premier league isn't taking shape, as expected.

The international break comes at both a good time for Manchester United, as well as this blog.  We here apologize for the lack of content on the blog as two of us had some serious family issues the last couple of weeks.  For United, it allows the club to get healthy from longer term injuries and refocus after a couple of admittedly mediocre performances.

• Among those Sir Alex Ferguson is hopefully of returning to full fitness are Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling, and Nemanja Vidic.  Combined with the recent return of Danny Welbeck to the United, and possibly England, lineups, United appears to be close to full fitness throughout the first team.  If all are able to regain fitness, the only injury concern would be the dislocated shoulder suffered by Rafael that required surgery.
• The news of the day throughout England has has centered on Wayne Rooney.  Surprisingly, it hasn't been about the pending Euro 2012 qualifier, but rather Wayne Rooney's father and uncle linked with a Scottish Premier League match fixing scandal. Fabio Capello doesn't see this as a distraction for Rooney vs Montenegro, and most likely means he will be completely focused when United goes to Anfield in two Saturdays time.
• Before the previously mentioned betting scandal, the big news involving Manchester United was a rumored interest in Rio Ferdinand from MLS side Chicago Fire.  There has been some discussion about Phil Jones marginalizing Ferdinand in a FanPost by Sweet Science recently.  The interest has not been mutual, as Rio has denied any interest.

After gaining an early 2-0 lead through Danny Welbeck's brace, Manchester United was unable to hold the lead and eventually went down 3-2.  As Basel put 11 men behind the ball in an attempt to preserve the win, United threw wave after wave forward in hopes of equalizing. It eventually happened after a sublime cross from Nani found an unmarked Ashley Young for the equalizer.

Throughout the match Manchester United's defense gave up numerous scoring opportunities to Basel and really should have been behind by numerous goals after the first five minutes. Basel had 14 shots on goal in a match where United dominated possession. That's too easy in a competition where teams will only get more clinical in their finishing as/if United progresses. 

Manchester United hosts FC Basel in the second match of the Champions League group stages today.  Despite their blistering form to start the campaign, United have drawn their last match in both the Champions League and domestically.  In addition, Sir Alex Ferguson is dealing with numerous injury issues heading into this match, including a hamstring concern for Wayne Rooney.  As many as 8 regulars will be out of action for today's tie, which should make the match more intriguing than it initially looked on paper.

Kickoff is 2:45 ET on Fox Soccer Channel.

Sorry about the lateness of this thread guys. Gene is unavailable and I dropped the ball as playing Robin to his Batman.  After the jump are the highlights to a rather unimpressive match. I truly hope Wayne Rooney was left in Manchester to prevent getting a long term injury from the lumberjacks also known as the Stoke defenders.

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There is a lot of activity throughout the Premier League and Europe in general. Comment away on some of the goings on, including Hargo to City rumors and the late emergence of Arsenal to the transfer market.

United activity:

This will give everyone a forum to voice their opinions on potential transfers and a place to bring all the rumors that run rampant throughout the interwebs.

Definite needs/confirmed transfers:

* David de Gea- GK Atletico Madrid

* Phil Jones- CB/CM Blackburn Rovers

* Ashley Young- CF/LW/RW Aston Villa

Transfers out:

* Owen Hargreaves- CM

* Paul Scholes- CM

* Wes Brown- CB/RB

* John O'Shea- RB/CB/CM

Possible transfers out:

* Darren Gibson- CM

* Federico Macheda- ST

* Tomasz Kuszczak- GK

Returning from loan:

* Tom Cleverley- Wigan- CM

* Danny Welbeck- Sunderland- ST

Out on loan:

* Ritchie de Laet- Norwich City- CB

* Bebe- Besiktas- RW

Three young players to add to the attack makes it very likely that at least one of them moves on either on loan or as a transfer.

If there is a mistake up here or I forgot a player, please let me know and I will update it.

Wesley Sneijder has been a rumored target for Sir Alex Ferguson for years. Now it appears that the rumors may become reality.  It will be hard for United to ignore a player of Sneijder's quality stating that he would like to join the club.  I'm interested in what readers would like to see happen so be sure to vote in the poll and give your thoughts in the comments section. In the transfer threads, in the right sidebar, we have discussed Sneijder and the other options Manchester United have in the one apparent weak area on the pitch. Take a look at those and join the conversation, if you haven't already.

When asked which of Manchester United's current players can fill the Paul Scholes void, one name always comes up. Tom Cleverley. Andy Mitten has a an interesting feel good story about him in the Daily Mail.  Personally, the more I watch him on the pitch, the less urgent the signing of a Sneijder/Modric/Nasri becomes, in my own mind.

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This will give everyone a forum to voice their opinions on potential transfers and a place to bring all the rumors that run rampant throughout the interwebs.

Definite needs/confirmed transfers:

* David de Gea- GK Atletico Madrid

* Phil Jones- CB/CM Blackburn Rovers

* Ashley Young- CF/LW/RW Aston Villa

* Central Midfielder

Transfers out:

* Owen Hargreaves- CM

* Paul Scholes- CM

* Wes Brown- CB/RB

* John O'Shea- RB/CB/CM

Possible transfers out:

* Darren Gibson- CM

* Dimitar Berbatov- ST

* Tomasz Kuszczak- GK

Returning from loan:

* Tom Cleverley- Wigan- CM

* Danny Welbeck- Sunderland- ST

* Mame Biram Diouf- Blackburn- ST

* Federico Macheda- Sampdoria- ST

Out on loan:

* Ritchie de Laet- Norwich City- CB

* Bebe- Besiktas- RW

Three young players to add to the attack makes it very likely that at least one of them moves on either on loan or as a transfer.

If there is a mistake up here or I forgot a player, please let me know and I will update it.