Who will be the Scot’s first big-name Old Trafford capture?
It seems like the obvious choice, seeing as the pair worked so well together at Everton for past six years.
Moyes picked him up from Wigan as a young man who could achieve great things in the game and turned him into a creative tour de force who is now set to take over from Ashley Cole as England’s first choice left back, just in time for the World Cup next year.
There’s an old myth in football that to become a great player you need to be at a top side, and while that is true in some cases Baines has proved that the status quo means very little to him as fans of most club’s would gladly see him stroll straight into their side and dispossess whoever is in front of him.
Having said that, though, now that Moyes has moved on there is a sense that his time and place at Goodison Park has run it’s course and it’s now time to join one of those aforementioned top clubs in order to finally come away with some more silverware and finally cement himself within the pantheon of true greats.
If anyone knows how much he’s worth, and what to say to convince him to join United – it’s Moyes.
2. Marouane Fellaini – Everton
Much like Baines, Fellaini has proved that he can be an effective all rounder without having to be at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
However, the Belgian international’s departure from the club looks to have been a foregone conclusion for some time now after a January move to Chelsea fell through at the last minute, his name has been linked with a number of clubs ahead of the summer.
And also, like Baines, if there was ever a major factor to play it’s part in bringing him to Old Trafford; it’s the manager.
“I only want to go to a club where the manager really wants me. In 2008, Everton did everything to convince me, especially David Moyes. He made me the player I am now,” he was quoted as saying earlier this year.
Furthermore, he can be unplayable at times, he has become a mainstay in the Belgian national team that have seen their stock rise considerably with the influx of their stars into the Premier League, he really deserves to be in a world class side.
This one has been on the cards for a while now, and it’s only a matter of time before it is finally done and dusted.
The two clubs are believed to be close to agreeing a fee, which is rumoured to be in the region of £17million and talks between the player and the club are also thought to be at an advanced stage, with reports in Portuguese newspaper Record suggesting that Garay has already begun looking for a property in England.
Garay was a mainstay in the heart of Benfica’s defence last season making 41 appearances across all competitions and has been touted as a replacement for Nemanja Vidic, who has seen his career skid to a halt thanks to injury over the past two years, and with Rio Ferdinand likely to hang up his boots next summer the Argentine international is the perfect replacement.
Like a young Ferdinand, the 26-year-old is quick, clever and comfortable with the ball at his feet bringing it out from defense. He is a key man for pressing whenever the side lose the ball and is adept at making the right tackle at the right time.
4. Kevin Strootman – PSV Eindhoven
The Dutch international has made no secret of his desire to join United, having been a target for the club since Ferguson’s tenure, Moyes has indicated that he too could be interested in making a move.
Furthermore, he wants to come to United, so much so that he issued a ‘come-and-get-me’ plea after the sale of his two Eindhoven teammates Dries Mertens and Erik Pieters.
Links from Italy have threatened his move to Old Trafford, with Napoli and Roma both taking a keen interest. However, if United give any sort of indication that they will be coming in for him then those pesky rumours involving the Serie A sides will disappear in no time.
Moyes had been linked with a move for the box-to-box midfielder whilst still at Everton when it looked as though Fellaini would leave for Chelsea, but no such move was made. Now Moyes has the influence and the money to press ahead with a bid to finally bring him to England.
His agent, Chiel Dekker, has recently been talking up a move to the Premier League too, by saying: “He is focussed on England because that would suit his style.
“He has the physique, the character and the fitness for it.”
Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
It couldn’t…could it? Surely not? The prodigal son returns?
Whatever he’s said recently, and whatever Real Madrid president Florentino Perez would have you believe, one thing does look certain; Ronaldo is unhappy.
You can tell by his body language, the quotes he gives about being happy and settled in Madrid just don’t seem to ring true, there’s a sadness to them that belies is confidence on the pitch, and his affection for United has never been questioned.
However, a move such as this is often fraught with difficulties – both financial and political and if it were to happen it wouldn’t be an easy ride. The word ‘saga’ springs to mind.
But saying that, Real would surely welcome the extra cash if they are to press ahead with a move for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale. Not only for the transfer fee itself, but for the massive wages they are likely to offer too – and that’s not mentioning the plethora of other stars that the Spanish capital side have been linked with.
Real will also try to make him the World’s highest paid sportsman should the interest get too intense, but Moyes will be hoping that money only has a fraction of the power that love and fond memories posses.