Silvestre to Arsenal is better than a move to City...

Silvestre moving to Arsenal has to be a better alternative than moving to Man City, because it's bad enough having Mark Hughes at Eastlands without adding to the numbers of ex-reds at the City of Manchester Stadium. In ideal world, Silvestre would have moved back to play in France or some other overseas destination, somewhere out of harm's way.

If the Frenchman had joined City, like Hughes he'd be on a hiding to nothing, at least at Arsenal he'll be largely among his fellow countrymen. At his age, it's a very good move for the player who has served United well; let us hope Silvestre doesn't repay the Reds by helping the Gunners to win some silverware this season.

Minimal transfer fee apart, I'm not so sure it's a great move for Arsenal though and it highlights the fact that Wenger must have some concerns about his back-four. Arsene Wenger isn't noted for signing players over the age of 30 - no doubting Silvestre will, more often than not, be among Arsenal's seven substitutes.

The decision to allow Silvestre to leave also raises the question about the future of Jonny Evans, does it mean that the Northern Ireland defender will be staying at Old Trafford rather than going on loan to Sunderland again?

Silvestre injury opens door for United youngsters...

Mikael Silvestre will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a cruciate knee ligament injury against Everton on Saturday. It's a massive blow for the Frenchman given that he's only just recovered from a shoulder injury which kept him out of the action for a lengthy spell.

United have recently sold want-away Gaby Heinze to Real Madrid, which leaves the Reds with just one specialist left back in Patrice Evra.

However, United have several young defenders pressing for first team action. Gerrard Pique came on against Everton as a substitute when he replaced Nani late on in the game and Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans is another who will be hoping that he can make a first team breakthrough this season after spending a season on loan at Sunderland. The Reds take on Sporting Lisbon this Wednesday in the Champions League and it's expected that both Pique and Evans will be in the squad that travels to Portugal.