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Transfer news: Manchester United need to break the bank now to salvage their season, says former goalkeeper Mark Bosnich

Failed bids in the summer has left David Moyes with a below-par squad according to the Australian

Jack de Menezes
Monday 06 January 2014 14:14 GMT
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Manchester United manager David Moyes walks off the pitch dejected after the final whistle
Manchester United manager David Moyes walks off the pitch dejected after the final whistle (PA)

Manchester United must break the bank in the current transfer window if they are to have any hope of saving their faltering season, despite David Moyes’ claim that the majority of his targets will not be available.

That is the view of former United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, who feels that the squad needs significant improvement if they are to have a say in the second half of the season.

Bosnich’s words came after United crashed out of the FA Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Swansea, leaving the Old Trafford crowd stunned as they watched a fifth home defeat of the season – the same number suffered over the entire 2012-13 campaign.

With the only summer signing brought in to the first team squad in Marouane Fellaini yet to impress, supporters have lamented the lack of activity in the transfer market, with failed bids for Leighton Baines, Cesc Fabregas, Ander Herrara and others dominating the headlines.

And speaking on talkSPORT’s Alan Brazil breakfast show, Bosnich said: “Man United’s problems can be traced back to their lack of activity in the transfer window last summer.

“You have to improve your squad every year if you’re going to stay on the top.

“The Glazers, Ed Woodward or whoever is calling the shots, have really got to stand up in this January transfer window and give Moyes funds to get the players he really wants.

“This season is heading towards disaster. They might not finish in the top four. They really need to say, ‘this season is salvageable, we might not win the title but we could finish in the top four but we need to identify big players, players of Manchester United’s calibre and spend some money'.

Reports have emerged on Monday claiming that Moyes has been reassured that significant funds will be available should he choose to invest in the squad, although his attempts to cool talk of a number of imminent bids will have alarm bells ringing for fans of the reigning Premier League champions.

Bosnich went on to add that the money is certainly there to pay for the very best, even if that fee is inflated because of the reputation that comes with a club such as Manchester United.

“You’re talking about one of the richest clubs in the world,” Bosnich continued.

“If you’re at a club and they come in for a player you automatically put your price up. They’re going to have to start paying what the market rate is for players if they’re going to get the type of quality of players that Manchester United deserve.

“They’re going to have offer over the odds, that’s the modern day reality, you can’t get anything on the cheap and expect it to work.

“I know Manchester United have got a history of saying, ‘we’re only going to pay so much because you’re coming to play for Manchester United’, but many of the top players in the world haven’t got the same ‘love’ for Manchester United as some players in Britain have.

“For them, it’s about choosing which is the best club to play for. Are they playing in the Champions League? What are they offering me in comparison to PSG, Juventus, Real Madird or Barcelona? They are going to have to pay over the odds. If you want the best you have to go and pay for it.”

Read more:

David Moyes accepts transfer targets 'probably not available'

Alexander Buttner doesn't want to leave United

 

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