Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Manchester United will cope without Rio Ferdinand.
The United and England defender was last night banned for eight months for missing a drugs test in September.
Wenger said: "United have enough players who can come in - people like (John) O'Shea (Quinton) Fortune and (Wes) Brown.
"They may also have some Christmas money they can use on the transfer market if needed."
Asked if Ferdinand's absence could make United stronger, he said: "It is difficult to predict.
"The most important thing is we concentrate on what we can do knowing our opponents will be at their best. At the moment we are unbeaten."
Wenger added: "I don't want to interfere with the length of the suspension, it's down to them (the FA)."
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said: "It is far too severe a punishment. He didn't fail a test.
"Davids, Stam and De Boer got five months and some of those were for taking performance-enhancing drugs. Those are meant to be the worst kind."
Everton manager David Moyes expressed some sympathy for Ferdinand, claiming the severity of the punishment was undeserved.
"My first feeling is that it was harsh," he said.
"When you think of the games and the football he is going to be missing, then it's hard on the boy."
PA