Firstly why would a net spend figure rely on sales, especially when they're on loan anyway? Secondly, didn't Woodward tell investors that Utd don't anticipate spending much in January?
Definition of net profit: the amount by which income from sales is larger than all expenditure (from BusinessDictionary.com)
I saw the above and mis-interpreted but even so it was pretty evident what I meant.
In the case of Nani, his Utd contract is longer than his loan spell - and he seems to be doing well there, and they are happy with him. If sporting agree to purchase him it wont be for anything like the value of his over-inflated contract but Utd might get something for him £5-10m if we are lucky, or possibly value off a player like William Carvalho (who imo would work well in the EPL).
With 18 months left on his current deal Chicharito could sign permanently for RM as a cheap back up option, he hasn't lit up the place it has to be said, but even RM need some "normal" players on the bench.
Tom Cleverley is another matter as his contract length is so short (6 months remaining in Jan) but Everton may still look to get a bargain depending on the situation of Barry (who didn't break his leg, but depending on ligament damage could still be out for some time), and Martinez may still want him anyway as he has done ok at Villa (not sure he can really be blamed for how bad they have been this season). Its quite possible nothing gets done until the summer as well
Then there is the Mata issue - did little to save his place in the squad while Rooney was banned (his major chance (s) ) but scored the winner in a terrible CP display a few days ago. For all his positive stats, some of his actual performances have been woeful for such an expensive player used to the league etc. Supposedly Utd are willing to sell him for £20m with Juve, Atletico and possibly the Lim-backed Valencia all interested at that price.
I think only the most delusional of fans would ignore the easy run of fixtures we've had but what we have done is capitalise on it. A few of the big boys have had similarly easy runs in the first ten games but have dropped points that they ought not to have, so you can't take that away from Southampton.
Watching the form of some of the big boys too, I'd say we stand a decent chance of picking up points at a few of them.
Totally agree with this, I highly doubt you will be 2nd before kick off on New Year's day, but have no reason to see why you wont be holding your own in the top 5ish.
edit just noticed Utd have Stoke and Southampton back to back in early Dec and early Jan, what a quirk of the fixture list haha