Five players being linked to Old Trafford following news of David Moyes’ appointment as the club’s new manager.
5. Leighton Baines (Everton)
Moyes has immediately been linked with a raid on current club Everton, and according to the Daily Mirror, is supposedly keen on taking left-back Leighton Baines to Old Trafford with him when he leaves at the end of the season. The England international has had a great season at Goodison Park and would be an improvement at left-back on the inconsistent Patrice Evra.
The former Wigan man has been a crucial attacking element for the Toffees, at times leading the way in Europe this season with key passes, crosses and chances created for his team-mates. He could arguably improve his defensive game, but would probably have fewer attacks to deal with as a United player, and more emphasis on going forward with the rest of the team. He could also add his name to a famous list of great free-kick takers for the Red Evils.
4. Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
Another big player at Everton (quite literally), the Belgian midfield giant would be a very useful addition to United’s midfield, which is already somewhat lightweight as it is, and which could lose the likes of Paul Scholes and Anderson over the summer. Fellaini was Moyes’ record signing at Goodison Park, and according to the Daily Mirror, he is willing to spend big to sign him again, and you can see why with his physical presence, aerial threat, and ability to both defend and attack from a central midfield position.
With 12 goals for Everton this season, he has been linked with a number of clubs, but would be a great signing to take the pressure off Robin van Persie to score the goals for Manchester United. If he can be completed along with Baines, it would be a real boost for Moyes to have two players he knows well and who know each other’s games in his lineup at United.
3. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
As speculation mounts over the future of Wayne Rooney, who is interesting the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG after recently submitting a transfer request at Manchester United, the Sun claim that Moyes is also keen on Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema.
The former Lyon forward has been a target for United in the past, and could be sold by Real this summer after falling down the pecking order at the Bernebeu. Still a talented finisher, Benzema would be particularly useful to Moyes if he fails to keep Rooney at the club, and with 19 goals and 20 assists this year imagine what he could do when he finds his best form. Javier Hernandez could also be used as part of a swap deal, with the Mexican attracting interest from the Spanish capital.
2. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
The Welsh wing sensation has been in phenomenal form for Tottenham this season, helping Spurs challenge for a place in the Premier League’s top four and earning himself a double Player of the Year accolade. United have been warned off making a bid for the player by Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas in the Sun. Still, David Moyes will be keen to make a big signing as a statement of intent at Old Trafford, and beating Real Madrid to the signature of Bale would certainly be a huge boost.
United are in desperate need of wingers, as the likes of Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia have had poor seasons and may be sold in the summer. Many sources think the move could happen, and Bale would understandably be keen to play alongside Wales legend Ryan Giggs. He won’t come cheap though, with the White Hart Lane club thought to be demanding offers of at least £65million for their star player, and it’ll be interesting to see if the United board give Moyes that kind of financial backing. You’d think for a player of Bale’s proven quality, it wouldn’t be too much of a gamble.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Nothing would make Moyes more popular with the Old Trafford faithful than bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. The Portuguese super star made a record-breaking £80million move to the Spanish capital from United four years ago, but is reportedly unsettled at the club and looking for a move. PSG are also interested, and may have more spending power than United, but talks are said to have already begun and the 28-year-old would apparently welcome a return to his old club. While the glory days have not exactly stopped since his departure, his addition to the team could help bring back the dominance that United enjoyed when he was at his best for the club between 2006 and 2009, when they won three consecutive league titles and conquered Europe with a win in the Champions League.
He has arguably gone on to become an even more deadly goal scorer at Real Madrid, with an incredible record of 200 goals in 197 games for the club – that’s an average of 50 a season at the Bernebeu, and this campaign isn’t even over yet! Second only to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi as the best player in the world, this kind of signing for Moyes would really help the new boss keep United at the top for years to come and carry on Sir Alex Ferguson’s fine work. If United miss out on Bale, it’ll probably be because he signed for Real Madrid instead, which would surely improve the chances of this fantastic deal going through.