Manchester United and Chelsea each acquired new managers over the summer, and the transfer window gave the opportunity to make changes after getting used to their new teams. How have they used it? 

Manchester United have further improved their attack by signing Juan Mata in a move recalling the acquisition of Robin Van Persie, rather than address weakness in midfield.

Sir Alex Ferguson retired after a collecting a Premier League title win in his final season, while the outstanding Dutch international gained individual awards. He had support however from wingers Luis Valencia, Nani and Ashley Young, who Ferguson successfully rotated to keep them in the form required to break into opponents halves on transitions.

But their defensive partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic got older while the younger Jonny Evans Chris Smalling have not formed a settled partnership in their place. And in midfield, the inability of Anderson and the ill Darren Fletcher to successfully partner Michael Carrick left the burden on an under-fire Tom Cleverley or an out of position Phil Jones.

Marouane Fellaini was the remedy chosen in the summer. Though he did not show sufficient technical prowess to install himself in the side before being ruled out through injury, it could prove the right decision to give him the chance to recover before assessing whether a move for another established midfielder is needed.

And United wouldn’t have won a bidding war with Paris Saint Germain for Yohan Cabaye anyway. 

In selling Mata and using the money to rebuild, Chelsea however have addressed a weakness in signing Nemanja Matic to act as their anchor man. Mourinho has been clear in his attempt to threaten on transitions through agile and pacey attackers such as Hazard, Willian, Schurrle, and now left-footed Mohamed Salah.

Selling Juan Mata and allowing Oscar to take centre-stage confirmed that his playmaker, should he use one at all, would be defensively conscientious and help the team resist long spells of pressure that could be relieved through a quick break from an attacker.

However I see the 6’4’’ midfielder as an upgrade on Jon Obi Mikel that will allow the Blues more control in midfield against the top sides, and can grant his attackers more freedom through his greater defensive presence to halt opponents’ counter-attacks.

His proactive approach to defensive pressing and greater defensive presence will limit opponents’ ability to retain possession, and while Mikel displays his passing ability conservatively and from deep, Matic adds an ability to carry the ball up the pitch before picking a pass to a more creative player.

While they lack a blue chip striker like an Edinson Cavani or a Wayne Rooney (buy in the summer with money raised from selling David Luiz?), I think the Blues would have proved a match for Manchester City even had Fernandinho remained fit.