While Manchester United have struggled on the pitch following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, they also faced plenty of problems in the transfer market.
Ed Woodward replaced David Gill as United’s chief executive in the same summer and came in for heavy criticism from sections of the fanbase during his nine-year tenure at Old Trafford.
We’ve looked at 11 players that United tried – and failed – to sign while Woodward was in charge of their recruitment.
Cesc Fabregas
David Moyes was desperate to secure a top-class central midfielder in the summer of 2013 and United launched numerous bids for Fabregas.
Woodward left their tour of Australia to attend to what was described as “urgent transfer business”, but the summer-long saga came to nothing.
The Spain international decided to spend another year at Barcelona before completing a £27million move to Chelsea in 2014.
“Cesc Fabregas, who I spoke to on the phone several times, was not sure of his place in the Barcelona team,” Moyes told BBC Radio Five Live in 2017.
“I remember him saying to me, ‘If I don’t start the first game at Barcelona then I’ll definitely be looking to join you,’ and he started the first game at Barcelona.”
Thiago Alcantara
United looked set to sign Thiago from Barcelona in 2013 but a deal failed to materialise and the Spain international joined Bayern Munich instead.
Later that summer, United instead signed Marouane Fellaini from Moyes’ former club Everton on deadline day for £27million.
While Fellaini became a figure of ridicule, Thiago is now regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world and was integral to Bayern’s treble success in 2019-20.
The 30-year-old eventually headed to the Premier League in 2020 but arrived at Anfield rather than Old Trafford.
Thiago holding the match ball with “Nos vamos en Manchester” or ‘See you in Manchester’ written on the bottom left. pic.twitter.com/Qo0U0GsLof
— Papa (@locaantoine) June 19, 2013
Toni Kroos
After missing out on Thiago and Fabregas, Moyes lined up a move for Kroos but was sacked before his second summer transfer window.
“I knew before that Manchester wanted me. And Moyes underlined that absolutely,” Kroos told GQ in 2019.
“It was a really nice afternoon with very nice people. We talked a lot about United’s footballing plan which convinced me. In the end, we agreed to do it. We agreed verbally.
“I am not somebody who worries about contingencies. Yes, it was…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…