Transfer news: Cesc Fabregas is not my only target says David Moyes - as Manchester United are forced to consider other options, including Marouane Fellaini
United have failed with two bids for the Barcelona midfielder
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Your support makes all the difference.David Moyes, the Manchester United manager, is unsure whether the club will submit a third bid for Cesc Fabregas but remains confident of signing new players to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.
United have seen two bids for Fabregas rejected by Barcelona, whose new coach Gerardo Martino said on Friday he does not want to sell the former Arsenal captain. Moyes has hinted that he may be forced to pursue other targets, with the additional problem of the uncertainty over Wayne Rooney’s future.
“I never said I knew we would get him,” said Moyes when asked about Fabregas as his side prepare to face FC Kitchee in Hong Kong today. “I just said we had made offers. They have been rejected. We will take stock of the situation and decide where we go from there.”
Asked if he was concerned at not having signed anyone by now, Moyes said: “No, not necessarily. We hoped we would, but what we’ve got here already is a really good squad of players. Undoubtedly, we’re hoping to add to it, and I’m confident we will do before the window shuts.”
Marouane Fellaini from Moyes’ former club Everton could be an alternative target, although his £22m release clause expires at the end of the month. Sir Bobby Charlton is confident Rooney will not be leaving Old Trafford, despite Chelsea’s continued interest in the England striker.
Charlton said: “We are not silly enough to make any rash decisions. I don’t like losing really good players and he is a really, really good player. I was hoping one day that he might score as many goals as I had and that would have been really nice if it was at our club. I’m still thinking that way.”
Currently sidelined by a hamstring that meant he was sent home from the five-match pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia, Rooney is expected to return for United’s friendly against AIK Solna in Stockholm on 6 August.
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