Strike

United are enjoying themselves on the wing. Ivanovic and Azpilicueta both struggling

Not great so far. Nobody looks composed in the tight spaces in midfield. Need to retain possession better

been poor so far. united pressing well. defence making so many long balls. easy for united to defend

what's with the cute passing...

Cole was struggling to keep up with El Mohamady last week. Maybe a good decision to have Azpilicueta there

Zola in the studio. Nice

The Eto'o selection is really surprising. Maybe Torres won't be picked for big games

Eto'o starts. Even Ivanovic starting XI vs United: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpi, Ramires, Luiz, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Eto'o.

Walcott's injury for one. He was the backup to Giroud. and also this formation with all the Central midfielders, it has worked really well in putting away small teams but not necessarily against the big teams. Also, that fixture list in February and March, can see them slipping up

Arsenal still on top is surprising but by this time next month I'm certain they'll be 3rd

he's starting today vs Liverpool. straight away

yeah. Shaw's playing well. Even the other fullback Chambers

Southampton all over Sunderland atm

No. if he was fit when Cole was dropped from the first team i think he would make more than 3 appearances.bertrand is 24 now and was a squad player here. a player who will be needed in February/March when there are a cluster of games in the space of few days. if one of Ashley or azpilicueta are injured/suspended then the other one will have to play every game at left back. Ake, Luiz etc simply won't work

Even Bertrand's injury came at the wrong time. He was out injured until January. I think between Kalas, Bertrand and Ake, Bertrand is clearly my pick for squad player since there's only one other recognised left-back at the club and he isn't really playing extremely well this season either. Azpilicueta at left-back has been decent defensively but he had his best game at Right back vs Liverpool.

Just a theory but there is a chance that Jose has decided that Ashley Cole has not been good enough this season and may not offer him a new contract. Now, Bertrand loaned till the summer gives Jose the chance to get a fullback in now and when Cole leaves in the summer, Bertrand assumes the backup role again

yeah they're the best of its kind but then again Martin Skrtel was MOTM vs Chelsea last month on whoscored

Luke Shaw for me. Rodriguez is clearly good but there will come a time in 1 or 2 years when most of the English core will leave. Lampard JT Ash. Should replace them soon and Shaw fits the bill perfectly

bump. is he available on loan?

can register just 21 players . not entirely sure how many we've got now

where does it leave us regarding HomeGrown? just Cahill, Terry, Cole, Lampard so Coentrao coming in will have to be balanced by another sale

Ryan Bertrand has joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season, after Jose Mourinho confirmed the loan move in his press conference this morning. The English left-back has struggled for minutes this season due to injury problems but is expected to be a first-choice player at Villa with only Antonio Luna for competition and this move will be Bertrand's sixth loan spell since joining from Gillingham in 2005. He famously made his Champions League debut in the final in 2012 helping Chelsea win the competition for the first time. The news comes as a surprise as it leaves Ashley Cole as the only left-back at the club. Bertrand's lingering injury problems and Mourinho's preference for Cesar Azpilicueta to be played on the left side has also restricted him to just 3 appearances this season and a loan move at a club like Aston Villa could give the 24-year old a good run of games under his belt to improve his fitness and form. Chelsea could now be in the market for a left-back and have been continously linked with Southampton's Luke Shaw. The news of this loan deal could mean that Mourinho is looking to move on the 18-year old soon. Click Here To View Article.

Bertrand will be a very good signing for Villa

I thought Kalas should have been the one going on loan