Supporters, understandably, were disappointed at the lack of signings in the summer’s transfer window. United only made one senior acquisition, Vurnon Anita. But we kept our stars.
However ... Pardew says one star will leave in January ... without naming names.
Alan Pardew: “At some point, we will lose one of our top players.
“It’s just natural that that’s going to happen, but we want to get a maximum figure for him.
“And then we’ve got to make sure we bring in two or three that are as good, if not better, than the one we’ve sold. We’ve got to trade up. That’s very, very difficult.
“With the help of Graham Carr and my team, we ain’t doing a bad job on that front.”
"My biggest challenge has been, so far, changing the style of the team to control games in a more effective manner, and bringing the team closer to the top teams.
“That’s been my biggest challenge.
“I think we’ve done that.
“I think we’re respected by the top teams, and now we’ve got to prove we’re in that group by finishing in the top eight, for sure, and hopefully top six.”