There was some degree of consternation when Manchester United confirmed the £27.5m signing of Marouane Fellaini. Not only were Manchester United forced to pay significantly more than the figure on his only recently expired release clause, they also ended up with a player that they didn’t really need.
That’s a big claim, but why else did David Moyes leave it until deadline day to strike the deal? If he was keen to snap up his former Everton charge, he would have done so earlier in the summer, when he was slightly more affordable. Instead, he held back, waited until it was clear he wouldn’t be able to agree deals for other more creative midfielders and then forced a move through.
David Moyes needed to sign a creative midfielder this summer. He knew that as well as the rest of us. That’s why he pursued the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas.
Even if he was keen to sign a defensive midfielder, I’m not sure that he chose the best possible option. According to former England boss and top Serie A coach, Fabio Capello, David Moyes asked for his opinion on Roma’s combative midfielder, Daniele De Rossi this summer:
“A few months ago David Moyes asked me for my opinion about De Rossi and my opinion could only be positive. If I were De Rossi, I would have gone to Manchester United. I would have wanted to go to a club where the ambition is very high.” (Source: The Star)
De Rossi is the real deal. He’s tough, physical and reads the game well. But he’s also excellent with the ball at his feet and has performed at the very top level for a number of years. Would things have been different had Manchester United signed him last summer?
This is no slight on Marouane Fellaini, who I think is a good player (if something of a mixed bag, who’s probably a little to versatile for his own good). Daniele De Rossi, on the other hand, is an excellent, experienced footballer who would have elevated this Manchester United side.
I don’t want to pile further onto David Moyes (who’s under an immense deal of pressure at the moment), but I can’t help but wonder what could have been for Manchester United.
What’s your take? Would you have preferred Manchester United to have moved in for Daniele De Rossi over Marouane Fellaini?
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I prefer de rossi,he got wat we needed in our midfield.,fellaini is not good. A big money wasted on him.
Fellani is average at best, Moyes clearly didn’t fancy him but it was him or no one.