It didn't take long for life at Old Trafford to start going from for David Moyes. It's easily arguable that the writing was on the wall almost as soon as he failed to sign anyone other than Marouane Fellaini. Now the Scot has given an interesting insight to the transfer.
Taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be difficult and even the man who took over from the man who took over struggled. So you have to have some sympathy for David Moyes.
Things looked bleak for the former Everton manager long before the loss to his former side ushered a very premature end to his reign, considering the six year deal he signed, and the summer transfer window he endured didn't help.
A loss in his return to Goodison Park was the end of Moyes' reign at United. Image: PA
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United enjoyed a decent start to the season but after a long transfer window, in which they tried to sign Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas, Ander Herrera and Thiago Alcantara to name a few, they ended up with just Marouane Fellaini.
Talking to BBC 5 Live Sport Moyes explained he never wanted the Belgian to be his first signing, saying:
"I never wanted Marouane Fellaini to be my first Manchester UNited signing, that's the last thing me and my staff wanted."
"We looked at Nemanja Matic first. He did not do well at Chelsea and had gone back to Benfica. He was a consideration and we did need more defensive type who would make passes from the middle of the park. We did not get a lot of the things we hoped for and got Fellaini on deadline day."
Fellaini arrived on deadline day for more than United needed to pay earlier in the window because of a contract clause. Image: PA
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Of course Fellaini would flop in his first season at United and become a figure of some hate even during Louis van Gaal's era. But he has become quite the cult hero under Jose Mourinho with improved performances and in another ironic twist United would end up signing Matic.
Moyes also explained his attempts to sign Fabregas and Bale, adding, "I spoke to Gareth Bale a couple of times and tried to convince him to join us, we even offered Tottenham more money but he had his heart set on joining Real Madrid.
"I spoke to Cesc Fabregas on the phone too and he was not sure of his place in the Barcelona team. He said 'I will join you if I do not start my first game of the season at Barca', and he did start.
"They were the two who looked like Manchester United players."
Things could have been a lot different for Moyes but at Old Trafford he'll always be remembered for Fellaini and his failure.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Cesc Fabregas, gareth bale, Everton, David Moyes