Rakitic.....

However, the Red Devils will be matched all the way by rivals City, with Manuel Pellegrini keen to bring in a swift replacement for Frank Lampard, whose loan deal expires in the new year.

Erm...  I didn't think that was a foregone conclusion yet.  Lazy journalism.  It depends on whether Rakitic has changed his mind about going to the rags, really.  And would he even get much game time with us, with our depth of midfield?

I think with the Lampard issue, he'll definitely stay beyond January, but maybe they'll compromise with him being there for March, which means some cover may be needed for the run-in.

The owners won't want to piss off the yank fans and start of with negativity surrounding the start of a new club and new season.

The January issue was so he could join up with them for a pre-season. He won't need that now and will be important to cover for TLF...but come the end of Feb, dependant on what we do against Barca, then it may be that he won't be needed as much.

However, beat Barca to get to the last 8.....MP may want him to stay even longer.

True.  But who would Rakitic replace if we got him?  The obvious choice is Navas, but only because there's no other real alternative aside from injuries.  Drop Silva?  No way!  Drop Nasri?  Hell no.  Drop Milner?  Fuck right off.  Maybe TLF or one of the Boys from Brazil, just as they're all clicking?  Nah, not really.  He can't get a game ahead of Xavi and he's nearly as old as I am, so what hope has he got here??

No idea Leo.