David Moyes returns to Manchester keen to sign Cesc Fabregas and keep Wayne Rooney
David Moyes returns to Manchester keen to sign Cesc Fabregas and keep Wayne Rooney
And following a three-week pre-season tour to the Far East, Sir Alex Ferguson's successor feels he is settling in well
Things to sort: Wayne Rooney will meet with Moyes this week
Getty
David Moyes arrives back in Manchester today, determined to push through
a deal for Cesc Fabregas and convince Wayne Rooney to stay, writes David McDonnell in Hong Kong.
Moyes will have had much thinking time on United’s 10-hour flight
from Hong Kong following the conclusion of their three-week pre-season
tour. A 5-2 win over FC Kitchee saw United end the tour on a winning note
, but it is back in Manchester where the real work now begins for Moyes. United have seen two bids of £26million and £30m for Fabregas rejected by Barcelona
, and must now decide whether to submit a third offer for the midfielder.
Moyes will meet with United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward today
to discuss the club’s next move with regard to ex-Arsenal star
Fabregas, who is said to favour a return to the Premier League.
As well as United’s protracted and - so far - unsuccessful pursuit of
Fabregas, another headache for Moyes remains the Rooney saga, with the
England striker still agitating for a move away. Still a target: Cesc Fabregas is wanted by Moyes
Shaun Botterill / Getty
Chelsea have had a £23m bid rejected by United
, with Moyes keen to meet with Rooney, who returned from the club’s
pre-season tour three weeks ago with a hamstring injury, to persuade him
to stay put.
Moyes is due at United’s Carrington training ground today, where he
will meet Rooney for the first time since it emerged the striker was
“angry and confused” at the suggestion he had been consigned to the role
of understudy for first-choice striker Robin van Persie.
United’s stance remains that Rooney is not for sale, although Chelsea
are convinced they will eventually land the England striker, with Moyes
facing a battle to convince the 27-year-old he should go nowhere.
Against the backdrop of the Fabregas and Rooney sagas, Moyes has
endured a difficult start to his United reign, but claimed the three
weeks on the road with his new players - in Bangkok, Sydney, Yokohama,
Osaka and Hong Kong - had enable him to settle in to his new role.
“I’m a bit more relaxed because of being around the players and them
getting to know me,” said Moyes last night before leaving Hong Kong.
“I think they’ll feel a wee bit the same way, with a new manager coming in, and I’ve enjoyed being with them.
“They’ve been really good to work with and I think the work we’ve asked them to do has been very good.
“Taking away a great experience of my first tour with Man United in general and what the club mean around the world.
“I’ve got to know the players and settle into my new environment. Happy so far: Moyes says the Far East tour was a great experience
Reuters
“The players have got to know me as well - they’ve been working with a great manager for long time.
“They’re incredibly professional and you can see why they’re champions. I’ve been very impressed by them.
“They were already very good players. I’m just taking on the baton and keeping it going if I can.
“This was going to be a daunting job for anyone who takes it. For
whoever was going to replace sir Alex it was going to be a hard task.
“But certainly you grow into it and as the days go on you start to feel a bit more comfortable.”
United face AIK Fotboll in Stockholm on August 6, where Rooney is
expected to make his comeback. Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against
Sevilla at Old Trafford is on August 9, with the Community Shield
against Wigan at Wembley two days later.
Moyes is convinced the three games will be enough to ensure his
players are ready for their Premier League opener at Swansea on August
17, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool three of their opponents
in their next four games in arguably the toughest start to the new
season.
“I think the players are doing really well,” said Moyes. “I think
they’re very close just now, I do. And I think the conditions will make
the games a little bit easier as far as fitness goes.
“We’ve got another four or five players to join the squad when we get
back and we’ll see how they are, so I’m quite confident. I think the
players are looking in good shape just now.
“We’re heading back to the UK and will get ready to go to Sweden in a few days’ time.”
Moyes has carried himself well on tour and looked comfortable in his
new role. He may have only won two of five games on tour, but as he
knows only too well, the real work starts now, with the countdown to the
new season well and truly on.
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