Transfer window: Manchester United's top targets

 

By David Lee Wheatley

 

 

There’s a massive rebuilding job to do at Manchester United Football Club and hugely experienced Dutchman Louis van Gaal has been entrusted with undertaking the gigantic task ahead. Many current stars will leave through the doors of Old Trafford over the course of this summer, including stalwarts Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. With turmoil surrounding the club following such an awful season last time out under the doomed leadership of David Moyes and the recent arrival of a new manager with fresh ideas, this will be period of substantial change for the Red Devils. With that in mind, I take a look at some of the new faces we could potentially see in a United shirt come August, as the Premier League heavyweights attempt to mount a challenge for domestic honours that remained way out of their reach throughout the disappointing 2013/14 campaign.

 

ARJEN ROBBEN (Bayern Munich)

Louis van Gaal’s fellow Dutchman Arjen Robben has been earmarked as one of his new club’s priorities during this transfer window and the 30-year-old could be interested in a switch to United in order to play under his current national team boss. Their links go way back, with Van Gaal responsible for taking the flying winger to Bayern back in 2009, as they proceeded to win the Bundesliga title in their first season together in Germany. Robben has continued to blossom in Bavaria on the right-hand side of their potent forward line, creating havoc with his darting runs, accurate crossing and ruthless eye for goal. Having already featured in the Premier League for Chelsea in the past, the ex-Real Madrid man might be tempted to try his luck on these shores once more having won everything possible during his five-year stint in Munich.

LUKE SHAW (Southampton)

At 18, Luke Shaw is the latest in a long line of impressive graduates from the Southampton academy ranks and he’s made a significant impression on their commendable top-half league finish this season, while forcing his way into England’s World Cup squad ahead of the vastly experienced Chelsea wing-back Ashley Cole. It’s been a campaign of several stunning highs for the teenager and could now be capped off nicely with a move to Manchester United for around £25 million, with the player himself said to have already advised friends he is on the verge of joining the Red Devils. Usual full-back mainstay Patrice Evra has not been offered a new contract, while current understudy Alex Buttner fails to inspire much confidence at the very highest level. Therefore, it is imperative van Gaal brings in an energetic replacement as soon as possible, with the marauding Shaw fitting the bill perfectly.

TONI KROOS (Bayern Munich)

£20 million-rated central midfielder Toni Kroos has long been on Manchester United’s wish-list and recent reports suggest an agreement was struck during the Moyes era for the German international to transfer from Bayern during this close-season. Having changed managers in the meantime, it was possible that latest incumbent to the role van Gaal could have vetoed the move, but he evidently has high hopes for the stylish Kroos after apparently giving his blessing to the deal. The 24-year-old is approaching 50 caps for his country and has been regularly involved at club level under both Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola. Additionally, he also played under van Gaal for one term following a year out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen during the Dutch supremo’s first year in the Bayern hot-seat. If media announcements swirling around the player’s future are to be believed, the pair wlll be reunited at United next season.

CESC FABREGAS (Barcelona)

Another long-term target Cesc Fabregas could be brought in as an attack-minded midfield partner for prospective new signing Toni Kroos, should United’s enduring pursuit of the Catalan finally come to fruition this year after their initial courtship came to nothing last summer. David Moyes was desperate to add the former Arsenal star to his ranks throughout the 2013 close-season window, but eventually failed to deliver the Barca star’s signature and ended up settling for a lesser talent in the shape of Belgian Marouane Fellaini. Having flopped badly last season, he could be on the way out to pastures new, while the likes of Fabregas and Kroos could be handed the midfield mantle alongside the reliable contributions of Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick. Fabregas is an intelligent footballer who shone brightly during his time with the Gunners despite some troubles finding his best form at Barcelona; he is eminently capable of reproducing his sparkling form of the past back in the Premier League.

EDINSON CAVANI (Paris Saint-Germain)

The Uruguayan forward was a qualified hit with Napoli, scoring 78 goals in 104 league appearances during a three-year stay at the San Paolo. However, his big-money move to PSG has seen him played out of position as a winger, when he much prefers featuring as a central striker on his own or in tandem with another. Superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic holds that position as a lone striker; promises made to Cavani on signing that he would play alongside the Swede in a potentially explosive strike partnership were broken and the imagined two-pronged attack never materialised. Again, Manchester United have been fervent fans of the long-haired 27-year-old for some time, with strong rumours circulating that Cavani will indeed swap Paris for the north-west of England in search of his favoured ‘number 9’ role.

MARIO MANDZUKIC (Bayern Munich)

Yet another Bayern star linked with a move to the Premier League is Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, who is rumoured to be unhappy with the stop-start nature of his involvement in the Die Roten starting line-up under Pep Guardiola. He may feel the time is right to experience a new challenge in England, with several top clubs said to be checking on his availability including Arsenal and Chelsea. On top of the fact that Mandzukic has often been forced to play second fiddle to a midfielder such as Thomas Muller taking his spot up-front, he has also witnessed the transfer saga surrounding lethal Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski drag on for months prior to an understanding being found earlier this year. With the Pole likely to become first choice at the Munich giants once his career there begins in earnest, it could spell the end of the ex-Wolfsburg star’s time at the club. However, his goalscoring record with Bayern is mightily impressive and he would be a magnificent asset for United should such a transfer take place.

 

Whoever does come in, they all must be of an extremely high standard in order for the team to dismiss the last campaign as a mere blip and resume their serial position of title challengers, while also regaining a European Champions’ League into the bargain. It’s sure to be a busy summer at Old Trafford, so watch this space!

 

 

Twitter: @davewh1980 



Manchester United hot-seat: Five in the frame

By David Lee Wheatley

David Moyes' ill-fated succession of Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager came to an abrupt end this week after ten tortuous months in charge. Following such a legendary figure into the Old Trafford hot-seat was always going to be a hugely difficult task and it proved far too much for the ex-Everton boss.

Now, with the team sitting 7th in the Premier League and appearing to be in grave danger of missing out altogether on European football next season, who is in the frame to replace the man once described as 'The Chosen One' at a club desperate to rectify the problems that have plagued them throughout the entire campaign?

The following names are the five candidates I believe to be highest on the list of possible replacements:

Louis van Gaal (Netherlands national team)

Vastly experienced 62-year-old Louis van Gaal made his intention to seek an English Premier League managerial position clear several months ago when confirming he'd leave his post with the Netherlands national side after this summer's World Cup.

Having led European greats Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to spectacular heights, he now wishes to try his hand at a competition he admires greatly. There were strong rumours surrounding Spurs' interest in the sought-after signature of the Dutchman, but the chance to resurrect United to their former glories would almost certainly hold more appeal.

Stubborn, a renowned man-manager and firm believer in the 'Total Football' attacking style of football harnessed in his homeland, van Gaal would seem the perfect fit for a side in dire need of direction.

Major honours

League titles: 7 (3 Ajax; 2 Barcelona; 1 AZ; 1 Bayern Munich)

Domestic Cups: 3 (1 Ajax; 1 Barcelona; 1 Bayern Munich)

Champions' League: 1 (Ajax)

UEFA Cup/Europa League: 1 (Ajax)

Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund)

Highly-rated German coach Klopp has been repeatedly linked to several top jobs around Europe since leading Dortmund to successive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, also lifting the German Cup to claim the double on the second occasion.

The former Mainz player impressed many observers with those domestic achievements, but did so even further when taking his side to the Champions' League final of 2013 before losing agonisingly to compatriots Bayern at Wembley.

Entertainment is guaranteed with Klopp's notoriously effervescent displays on the touchline during matches along with his endearing media persona which has placed him near the top of the United hit-list. However, the 46-year-old recently signed an extension to his Dortmund deal until 2018, while also publicly denying any interest in leaving his current position.

Time will tell whether a concrete offer could tempt the Stuttgart-born into going back on his word in order to take over at Old Trafford.

Major honours

League titles: 2 (Borussia Dortmund)

Domestic Cups: 1 (Borussia Dortmund)

Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Amiable Italian Ancelotti has a very important job to focus on currently with Real very close to a potential Champions' League final, while also still in the hunt for La Liga glory.

He's managed successfully in England previously when delivering a league and FA Cup double to Chelsea, plus the 54-year-old can also point to fantastic successes over the course of many years with European heavyweights such as Juventus, Milan and PSG prior to a dream move to the Spanish capital.

Whether he'd be willing to give up his long-awaited opportunity to coach the Madrid giants is debatable; after all, he sacrificed a planned continuation of his involvement with a wonderful project in Paris to grab the Bernabeu reins in the first place.

It's likely the only way United could prise him away from Spain is with the open encouragement and blessing of Real Madrid, as opposed to Ancelotti forcing the issue.

Major honours

League titles: 3 (1 Milan; 1 Chelsea; 1 PSG)

Domestic Cups: 3 (1 Milan; 1 Chelsea; 1 Real Madrid)

Champions' League: 2 (Milan)

Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

Many experts suggested the Portuguese was the only man who could've comfortably filled the shoes of outgoing manager Ferguson when the job was up for grabs the last time around and certainly the role was of huge interest to the controversial tactician before his agreement to make a much-heralded return to old stomping ground Stamford Bridge last summer.

A trophy-laden managerial career thus far puts the former Porto man on a pedestal with some, but he remains a truly divisive figure. Past comments have given rise to furious speculation surrounding Mourinho's apparent desire to take on the challenge of restoring Manchester United to the top of the Premier League tree where they resided for so long under the fiery Scot who presided over nearly 27 years of unparalleled success, but it will be tricky for the self-confident Mourinho to accept the post now that he's ensconced back at the Chelsea helm.

In saying that, it would be typical of 'The Special One' to instigate a sensational U-turn on his claims of being exactly 'where he wants to be' with his beloved Blues by moving across to Manchester. He doesn't care what anybody thinks of him, or about the various repercussions that may occur from such a decision in terms of the reaction from both Chelsea and United fans, because it's all about Jose at the end of the day!

The United hierarchy declined the possibility of appointing the 51-year-old when Fergie confirmed his departure, due to his extensive baggage and unsavoury mind games which often attracts such bad publicity upon the club he represents. However, he has won everything available in club football repeatedly and that impressive roll of honour could prove tempting to any potential suitor.

It's doubtful that anyone with a say in the matter will have altered their opinion on the subject of Mourinho, though.

Major honours

League titles: 7 (2 Porto; 2 Chelsea; 2 Inter; 1 Real Madrid)

Domestic Cups: 4 (1 Porto; 1 Chelsea; 1 Inter; 1 Real Madrid)

Champions' League: 2 (1 Porto; 1 Inter)

UEFA Cup/Europa League: 1 (Porto)

Laurent Blanc (Paris Saint-Germain)

Frenchman Blanc is on the verge of sealing Le Championat in his first campaign with big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, following a slightly disappointing two-year spell in charge of the national team.

He found success in his first head coaching role with Bordeaux, as they lifted both the Coupe de la League and the French championship under his tutelage. Despite a bruising encounter with international football, where his high-point was reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, former defender Blanc is back at the pinnacle of Ligue 1 with the ambitious PSG.

At 48, he would seem to be the perfect age to take on the major rebuilding work required at one of the world's most glamorous clubs and he would also command a great deal of respect from the fans immediately thanks to a 75-game stint with the Red Devils during his playing days.

Blanc understands the club and it's traditions intimately, which could hand him a significant advantage in the race for the post should he possess any interest in returning to Old Trafford.

Major honours

League titles: 1 (Bordeaux) - plus another imminent with PSG

Domestic Cups: 2 (1 League Cup Bordeaux; 1 League Cup PSG)

Selected betting odds on United's next permanent manager: Louis van Gaal 4/6; Carlo Ancelotti 13/2; Jose Mourinho 8/1; Jurgen Klopp 16/1; Ryan Giggs 22/1; Antonio Conte 28/1; Diego Simeone 33/1; Frank De Boer 33/1; Laurent Blanc 33/1; Pep Guardiola 40/1; Steve Bruce 66/1.

Follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980

United hit rock bottom

By David Lee Wheatley

Manchester United last night hit their lowest point yet throughout this tortuous campaign when suffering a 0-3 reverse against neighbours Manchester City, having come off worst in a one-sided contest at home to arch-rivals Liverpool just nine days prior.

United enjoyed a brief upturn in fortunes with two wins on the trot in between the two huge north-west derby matches, but it proved another false dawn for fed-up fans when an inspired City knocked three unanswered strikes past an exposed David De Gea. It looked like men against boys on the hallowed Old Trafford turf for most of the evening, with title favourites City seemingly under no pressure whatsoever.

The heat has been on manager David Moyes all season long and the temperature went up another notch after a defeat which leaves them completely out of the race for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, the stats at this stage of proceedings don't make enjoyable reading: highest number of defeats in a Premier League season; most home league losses in 12 years; only one win in 13 meetings with the top-nine teams; beaten home and away by both Manchester City and Liverpool in the same campaign for the first time; a massive 18 points off the top spot that they occupied at the end of last season.

Most observers expected a transitional phase to take place following Alex Ferguson's retirement after more than 26 years at the helm, but nobody foresaw this level of humiliation. Moyes held a good overall record with previous club Everton and was widely touted as the right man to take United forward; it just hasn't happened for him and the scrutiny continues to grow over the precarious nature of his position.

It appears there is no clear vision, preferred style of play or understanding among the players of what their individual roles actually are.

To compound matters, Moyes signed two-time Chelsea 'Player of the Year' Juan Mata for a whopping £37million in January, only to stick the Spaniard out on the right wing. Mata is a playmaker best-suited to a 'number 10' role just off a main striker, where he is free to roam and everything goes through him in the attacking third. However, he cuts an isolated figure out on the touchline and doesn't cope well with the defensive side of the game. Furthermore, talisman Wayne Rooney usually occupies the area of the field where Mata should be employed. He needs to avoid a scatter-gun approach to the recruitment of new players, so that he brings in the right men to take the club forward.

Moyes must impose his principles upon the team and the club as a whole, while weeding out the players that aren't up to the task. Though he admirably takes all responsibility for his side's lacklustre performances when speaking to the media, it is within the inner-sanctum of the club where ruthless action is required. It's all very well repeatedly telling the public that he is to blame, but where are the signs that his training ground message is getting through to the players under his leadership? They don't seem to be carrying out any particular instructions and many of them seem utterly lost.

Former boss Ferguson was an unbelievably hard act to follow and whoever got the nod to take over had to be prepared for teething problems, but even Moyes himself admits to being surprised by the difficulties he has encountered. The harsh truth is the Scot inherited a squad largely bereft of motivation, pace and invention, while some are over-the-hill and ready to be put out to pasture.

A major reconstruction project will be required in the summer and a distinct course set out by the manager as to how he wants the team to play under his guidance. So far, he looks out of his depth and is failing to adapt to the rigours of coaching one of the biggest clubs in the world. Moyes is in negative equity on the evidence of his efforts up to this point, while certain squad members have shown little to suggest that they have a future with the Red Devils.

There won't be any panicking at board level in reaction to this painful period in the club's history and therefore Moyes will be given more time. However, if he is heavily backed in the transfer market and still comes up short, patience will run out much quicker than he would like.

Significant improvement is imperative next season, otherwise Manchester United will be forced to abandon their long-held prerogative of backing their manager over the long-term through both good times and bad. Previous incumbent Ferguson was given plenty of opportunities to build a team in his own image - despite a series of poor campaigns - and he eventually put in place a winning culture which delivered unprecedented success.

In this age of quick-fix hiring and firing, it is unrealistic to suggest that Moyes will get the same level of understanding afforded to his predecessor. He will be allowed to put this season of abject failure behind him, but any replication will undoubtedly result in his swift removal from the Old Trafford hot-seat.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Analysis: Champions' League quarter-final draw

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley

The Champions League quarter-final draw handed Manchester United a mighty difficult task in order to overcome holders Bayern, while the other remaining English representatives Chelsea will undoubtedly fancy their chances against French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

An all-Spanish tie between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid appears almost too close to call, with both sides separated by just one point in La Liga at time of writing. Meanwhile, Real Madrid make up an extremely powerful trio of clubs from that country and would seem heavy favourites to sweep opponents Borussia Dortmund aside.

United woke up from their season-long slumber when defeating Greek side Olympiakos 3-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday, thus coming back from a 2-0 first-leg deficit. The first 60 minutes of that second-leg clash were played at a frantic pace from the off and saw the home side cruising thanks to an impressive Robin van Persie hat-trick. However, they had to survive a sprinkling of shaky moments before finally seeing out the game and dumping the plucky Greeks out of the tournament.

Their prize for struggling through is a daunting meeting with current holders Bayern Munich, with United hosting the Bundesliga giants first of all. The only way David Moyes’ men will survive in the competition is by establishing a lead to take to Germany; otherwise it is curtains for the fading Manchester giants. However, even getting their noses in front will prove easier said than done and would be a major turn-up for the books in itself given the Red Devils shocking league form overall this campaign.

Bayern have swept all before them domestically once again, while seeing off the challenge of Arsenal with great ease at the last-16 stage in Europe. Despite the draw pitting them against three-time European champions United, the Bavarian bulldozer seems set to roll on regardless under the canny guidance of renowned tactician Pep Guardiola. The former Barcelona captain is looking to secure his third Champions’ League crown as a coach and won’t be fazed by the prospect of facing up to a team evidently shorn of confidence and possibly the services of the injured van Persie.

Chelsea never left second gear when putting Galatasaray to the sword in the last round against a side with an aging Didier Drogba leading the line against his beloved former club, plus the ineffective Wesley Sneijder in midfield; a once-feted footballer whose star has fallen alarmingly since his apparent peak four years ago under Jose Mourinho at Inter. It was oh-so-easy for the Blues to dissect the Turks’ defence in winning by a comfortable 3-1 aggregate margin and that victory will give 2012 champions Chelsea a great boost as they size up their next assignment.

Led by talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris Saint-Germain are eleven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and demolished Bayer Leverkusen 6-1 over two legs, with an especially one-sided 4-0 victory coming their way in Germany. Though they possess a fearsome strike-force and a commanding lead domestically, they will find the Stamford Bridge outfit a much tougher nut to crack; wily old Mourinho is a master at stifling opposition strengths, while exposing their weaknesses at will. Additionally, he and the majority of his squad hold the invaluable experience of claiming continental trophies over a number of years and collectively they form a formidable obstacle for the Parisian artisans to successfully negotiate.

It’s likely that Barcelona will be slight favourites going into battle against compatriots Atletico, but only marginally so. In fact, with ten matches left to play, Madrid’s so-called second side sit one point above their more illustrious rivals in La Liga following a fantastic season so far. They underwent a slight wobble when managing just one triumph in four fixtures, including surprise losses to minnows Almeria and Osasuna, but bounced back by securing two league wins on the trot most recently and knocking a severely demoralised Milan out of the Champions’ League.

Atletico will feel they have a strong chance of conquering their fellow title contenders from Catalonia, but must play both legs at the very height of their powers if they wish to progress. Barcelona have also suffered two unusual defeats in the last four games against Real Sociedad and Valladolid, thus falling four points behind leaders Real Madrid and giving Atletico hope. However, they swatted away widely-touted pretenders to their throne Manchester City without much fuss in the round of 16 and are seasoned campaigners at the top table of European competition in comparison with Diego Simeone’s men. It’s likely to be a tight fixture between the two Spanish clubs and will probably be won by the odd goal either way.

Last year’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund squeaked past Zenit in making their way to the quarter-finals, but they will go into their match-up with Real Madrid with a measure of trepidation. The legendary Galacticos have not lost a La Liga game since 26^th October, a defeat which arrived in the last El Clasico, and look odds-on to lift the league championship trophy come the end of the campaign. Of course, the second instalment of Real-Barca takes place tomorrow evening and that could determine the destination of the title.

Complimentary to their sparking domestic displays, Real also thrashed Schalke 9-2 on aggregate to make it into the last-eight and will aim to do a similar job on a Dortmund side that don’t appear quite as strong as they were during 2012/13. The 1997 winners are miles behind Bayern in the Bundesliga – as they found themselves last campaign – and also looked decidedly porous at the back in leaking a total of four goals to the beleaguered Russians, who sacked manager Luciano Spalletti on 11^th March after a run of one victory in eleven matches. A 5-4 aggregate advantage for the side from Germany's industrial heartland is hardly the stuff of potential European kings.

 

Barring a minor miracle, Carlo Ancelotti’s charges will be in the hat for the semi-final stage of the world’s greatest club competition, as they attempt to justify the bookies’ faith in their ability to claim the glory on offer.

 

Twitter: @davewh1980

Vidic wants one last crack at rivals

By David Lee Wheatley

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic signalled the end of an era when announcing his intention to join Inter during the summer at the completion of his Old Trafford contract. After eight glorious years of service, mainly under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Serbian centre-back has decided to move on in order to experience a new adventure in Italy.

Today, he leads the Red Devils into battle against arch-rivals Liverpool for the last time before he leaves for pastures new and the 32-year-old is relishing the opportunity to help his beloved United to secure a key victory in the ongoing battle to put the reigning champions season back on track.

Four places and eleven points currently separate the two sides, but unusually it's the Merseysiders in the ascendancy on this occasion. Their progress this season under Brendan Rodgers has seen the Anfield giants touted as possible title contenders for the first time since 2009, when they finished 2nd in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez. Meanwhile, Manchester United have suffered a dramatic fall from grace since Alex Ferguson's retirement at the end of last season and they go into this afternoon's clash as underdogs.

Vidic and Rio Ferdinand formed a formidable central defensive partnership throughout their first five years or so together, but injury and age have caught up with both recently. However, the club captain will hope to keep a clean sheet against the odds in his team's quest to somehow snatch a top-four spot in last-ditch fashion.

To do so, he and his team-mates will have to keep a rampant Liverpool forward line quiet and that would appear an almost impossible task. Suarez and Sturridge have plundered 45 goals between them and their pace will cause huge problems for a creaking United back-four. Should Vidic and co. pull off a shock and stop them from scoring, it would certainly be plausible for the likes of Mata, Rooney, Januzaj and Van Persie to give Liverpool something to think about at the other end of the field.

Only time will tell if Vidic can sign off in this biggest of fixtures in style. But, a betting man would say he can't, despite so many past glories with the club.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Mata the man for Moyes

By David Lee Wheatley

Juan Mata completed his surprise move to Manchester United from Chelsea yesterday for a club-record fee of £37.1 million, despite prevailing concerns over the recent decline in form at Old Trafford without Sir Alex Ferguson's leadership. Yet, the Spaniards' switch from Stamford Bridge can be interpreted as a stark message from under pressure new boss David Moyes that he means business in his pursuit of a swift return to former glories.

Two-time Blues' Player of the Year Mata fell foul of Jose Mourinho's tactical thoughts on how he sees his dynamic Chelsea team functioning during this second tenure at the west London outfit, with the Portuguese preferring Oscar, Eden Hazard and Willian across the midfield, while consistently dragging the very best out of the trio.

This meant a stop-start campaign for the frustrated playmaker, with just 13 league appearances coming his way from 22 matches played so far this season. His form suffered dramatically, forcing Mata to leave a club he loves in search of regular time on the pitch. That yearning led the former Valencia attacking midfielder to join reigning Premier League champions United, a team undergoing a dramatic and painful transition following the stuttering to a halt of a hugely successful period.

A transfer of this magnitude will reassure many United fans that the Moyes era has strong potential to be just as enjoyable as the past two decades and also signifies a steely determination from the club's hierarchy to reach the pinnacle of domestic and European football once again.

While Mata's assists and goals will undoubtedly improve the current Manchester United side substantially, the requirement for further reinforcement remains obvious. With many of United's stars aging and past their best, plus no emerging clutch of young stars a la 'The Class of '92' coming over the horizon, the Red Devils must continue to scour Europe for the very best talent available. Not only will Mata's arrival spruce up the squad, it should also convince other big names to commit to deals with United in the summer.

It appears the incoming signing has signalled transfers out of peripheral players such as Fabio and Zaha, with the pair set to leave for Cardiff City, albeit only temporarily in Zaha's case. More departures are expected both this month and during the close season, as Moyes goes about reconstructing the team to suit his own vision.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will no doubt miss the skill and poise of the little Spaniard and Mourinho will desperately hope the risky decision to let him go doesn't come back to haunt him.

Fab future for Fabregas

By David Lee Wheatley

Former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas today put paid to speculation surrounding his future at hometown team Barcelona by insisting the dream to play for the Camp Nou club may have been realised but is not yet at an end.

Having made his debut with the Gunners at the tender age of 16 following a switch from Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy, the Spaniard spent eight happy years in north London before the lure of a return to Catalonia became too hard to resist.

Despite starting 30 La Liga matches last season, the talented midfielder failed to fully convince Barca fans of his worth. Fabregas has since been strongly linked with a move back to England, with Manchester United ready and willing to fork out over £30million to land the 26-year-old.

New United boss David Moyes seemed doggedly determined to capture the attacking midfield man, as the Old Trafford outfit vigorously pursued his signature over the last couple of weeks.

The death of the deal will be a big blow to Moyes as attempts to stamp his authority on the well established United line-up continue to labour, while Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino will be relieved to have the Spain international available to him for the forseeable future.

It's a critical time for Fabregas and he must produce a consistently high level of performance to finally win over supporters and show them his true colours.

Twitter: @davewh1980
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