Man United Nearly Signed These World Class Stars Under Moyes

Man United Nearly Signed These World Class Stars Under Moyes

Ever wonder what might have been? In football it’s very easy to look back and tell of how things should have been done, and in the case of David Moyes that is a very regular occurrence. The former Manchester United manager has had yet another a sly dig at the club, saying their “great traditions” have “gone”. The Scot also gave an insight to his transfer dealings during the 10 months he spent at Old Trafford, revealing that he was very close to making 3 world class signings.

Moyes was appointed as Manchester United manager in 2013 after Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but the now Sunderland manager didn’t even finish the season – he was sacked as the Red’s failed to make the top 4.


However, Moyes is persistent with his claims that he was not given enough time at the club in order to succeed, and said that the club has changed their way of tradition with both managers and transfers. United have had 2 foreign managers since Ferguson retired and also spent a whopping £500m, something Moyes believes is not the Manchester United way.

“I can say that’s gone [tradition at United].” said Moyes.

“There have been a few changes at Manchester United but that’s the way they have chosen to go. They were a football club who enjoyed traditions with the way they spent.”

“They didn’t try to compete with all the other clubs. They did what they thought was the right thing to do and spent the right way. Maybe that has had to change because of the current situation. [But] Sir Alex [Ferguson] went out and bought wisely and correctly in the transfer market and what he thought he needed to do.”

Moyes also revealed how he almost completed 3 world class signings at Manchester United which would have almost certainly changed the side’s look today.

“When I first went in my real target was Gareth Bale,” said Moyes. “I felt all along that Gareth Bale was a Manchester United player.”

“I fought right until the last minute. We actually offered a bigger deal than Real Madrid. But Gareth had his mind made up on going to Real Madrid. That was, in my mind, the player I really wanted to bring to Manchester United.”

“The other one was Cesc Fabregas, who we thought we would get right up until the last minute.”

“I remember when I first met Sir Alex and he always said there was a chance Ronaldo might come back. So that was the level we were targeting. I was not going out to bring in seven, eight players, because we had a squad which had just won the league.”

“Toni Kroos was agreed to come in the summer. I had agreed it with Toni himself and his agent. Sometimes you don’t get deals done. Gareth Bale, we were probably behind all along, Real Madrid were well in for it.”

“The Cesc one was disappointing. It was very close. And Toni Kroos came up in January – it was done.”

“A lot of players come into Manchester United and have not necessarily made the difference. But I think that, given time and having got to this period, I would have hoped I would be working with a successful team now.”

[Quotes via BBC Sport]