Manchester United Football Club

 “You need to be honest,” Evra told MUTV. “It was a good point because Tottenham played very well. It’s not easy to come to Tottenham and win so I think this is a good point. Although Patrice Evra insists United went to White Hart Lane to win, the Frenchman was pleased to leave with a point. The Reds and Tottenham Hotspur played out an entertaining 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon, with the home side creating more chances but United creating the better ones. Twice Heurelho Gomes was forced into full-length saves from Wayne Rooney shots, while Edwin van der Sar barely broke sweat at the other end. But while Spurs struggled to make an impact in the final third, they bossed the midfield for long periods and generally looked the most likely side to score.

Premier League Roberto Mancini’s men made hard work of victory (City led 4-1 with 24 minutes to play) but now top the table by a point. The Reds’ superior goal difference, however, means any point gained at Tottenham on Sunday would send United back into pole position. Manchester City, who have played three more games than Sir Alex’s men, edged to the summit on Saturday with a 4-3 win over Wolves. Meanwhile, Arsenal beat West Ham 3-0 in the late kick-off to move to within a point of the Reds (the Gunners have played two games more). Elsewhere on Saturday, Chelsea won for only the second time in 10 league games. The Londoners required two second-half goals – both came from corners – to see off Blackburn Rovers and climb to fourth in the table. Stoke City beat Bolton 2-0, West Bromwich Albion left it late to beat Blackpool 3-2 in a thrilling game at The Hawthorns and Fulham clinched a late draw at Wigan.

U nited have been busy during the January transfer market, although all the deals, bar Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard’s arrival, have involved players leaving Old Trafford. Ritchie De Laet became the latest temporary departure on Friday 14 January when his loan move to Portsmouth was confirmed by the South Coast club. The young Belgian will remain at Fratton Park until the end of the 2010/11 season. Earlier in the day, Corry Evans moved to Hull City on another loan deal that runs out at the end of the season. The KC Stadium is a popular destination for United players at the moment: Cameron Stewart is already on loan there, while defender James Chester moved permanently earlier this month. Magnus Eikrem has also departed Old Trafford. The young midfielder signed a permanent deal with Molde FK, now managed by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, and was unveiled at a press conference in Norway on Wednesday 12 January. Elsewhere, striker Federico Macheda has joined Italian club Sampdoria u...