Pressure is growing on Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to go on a January spending spree to strengthen his injury-hit squad. The Daily Star says Fergie is running out of options in defence and midfield as the injury woes deepen.

The loss of the versatile Phil Jones is a huge blow considering the youngster has been one of United's best players this season and emerged as an integral part of Fabio Capello's England squad as well.

Fergie is also without Tom Cleverley, Nemanja Vidic, the da Silva twins, Darren Fletcher and Michael Owen.

Fergie is reluctant to bring in new faces in next month's transfer window, but he has money available and could be left with no choice but to spend some of it on reinforcements if United want to put up a successful title defence.