David Moyes has as much of the Glazers’ money as he needs to overhaul his Manchester United squad. The embattled Red Devils Manager has pretty much a blank check, and that theory was just validated by the club record signing of Juan Mata for 37 million. With United mired in 7th place in the Premier League standings, very unlikely to defend their league championship, and also in real danger of missing UEFA Champions League next year, major changes are required.
So what’s next for David Moyes and company?
He’s sanctioned loan exits for Anderson and Wilfried Zaha while Fabio is on the verge of completing a permanent move to Cardiff City. Rio Ferdinand may retire and become a television analyst. Or he may play in the American MLS. Possibly with the Chicago Fire. Ryan Giggs may see his career as a player replaced by his career as a coach. Patrice Evra out the door in the summer transfer window.
So who’s next coming in? Fabio Coentrao should be here soon? When will that deal get finalized? Luke Shaw, Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos and Dante are also top transfer targets. The January transfer window is shutting soon, so David Moyes will need to act fast to make things happen.
Here’s what David Moyes has said about big changes in the immediate future.
“I am not going to accept it,” said Moyes when asked about his plans. “I am disappointed we are not in a much stronger position. I am disappointed with how we have played.
“I, ultimately, take the rap for that. But what I will do is make it right. I am going to get better players in. Unfortunately I don’t think there will be more in January. But it will change. quotes The Guardian.
“The message this sends, as I said in the summer, is that we’re going for all the best players in the world. Juan is one of those players. He’s a top Spanish player, a top Premier League player and I think if you asked any supporter, no matter what club they support, they would be an admirer.
“There will be more players like Juan in the future, no doubt about that. He plays for Spain, he’s played in big games already for club and country. I do see him fitting in and, hopefully, it doesn’t take him much time.
“But I also still think coming to Manchester United is a big change, for any player or any manager. It’s a big thing and he can’t solve everything.
“I’ve got a big job to do here and a couple of new signings isn’t all that is needed. I think there’s a bigger job to be done but you have to start somewhere. If you asked me what I needed most, I would have said a central midfielder. I could do with a left-back, too, but sometimes you don’t always get the pieces of the jigsaw at the time.
“It’s all part of a rebuilding process.”
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An MBA and Fulbright scholar in media studies, he’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments on ESPN, NBC, CBS and Fox Sports Radio. A former writer for NBCChicago.com and WashingtonTimes.com, he’s also been featured on the History Channel. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)