Reds looking for firepower in City chase

ALEXIS Sanchez, Javier Hernandez, Jamie Vardy – anyone but Gareth Bale!

That’s my view as Jose Mourinho splashes the cash in his efforts to get United firing on all cylinders.

The truth is this wouldn’t be too bad a season for us Reds if this was a normal season. But it’s not, with City an amazing 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League – albeit with arguably their toughest task to preserve their unbeaten record against Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow.

United have scored 19 goals less than City and that’s clearly one of many areas of concern for Mourinho.

City are still big favourites to land long-term target Sanchez but Betfred have United 7/4 to sign Arsenal’s Chilean superstar during the January transfer window, with West Ham’s ex-Red Hernandez at 10/1, Bale 12/1 and Leicester’s talisman Jamie Vardy at 25/1.

Bale from Real Madrid would be great for many Reds if Ronaldo can’t be enticed back to Old Trafford, but for me the Welshman always seems injured, and fans in the Spanish capital have never taken to him, which says a lot.

Mourinho is looking to get more firepower – and he’s under more pressure than any of the top bosses with his justifiably noisy neighbours doing so well.

If it was me writing he cheques I would, however, consider looking at replacing Chris Smalling and Phil Jones at the heart of the defence rather than concentrate on attacking positions.

City remain 20/1 at Betfred for the unprecedented Quadruple – the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League – but Guardiola’s success is already having a significant effect on domestic rivals.

Great to see that one of my favourite players of all time, Ryan Giggs, is on the verge of getting back into management with him 1/2 for the Wales job, battling it out with Craig Bellamy, who is 2/1 at Betfred.

Mark Hughes, who started to build his managerial reputation as the Welsh national boss, has entered the running at a 10/1 shot.