The Scotsman has been in charge for over six months but despite the arrival of Marouane Fellaini from his former club, Everton, the Manchester United of late has also been the Manchester United of 2012/13, but worse. Now though, the project that has been spoken about numerous times in press conferences and interviews with figures involved in the club has finally begun.
It seems so long ago, when United placed a bid for Thiago Alcantara; but it wasn't just the Barcelona (now Bayern Munich) midfielder that United went for in the quest to find the creative Spanish midfielder they desperately cried out for. The club made a statement as they openly bid for another Barcelona and Spanish midfielder, in Cesc Fabregas. They also bid for Athletic Bilbao midfielder, Ander Herrera. Numerous papers across Britain and Europe also reported a move for Kevin Strootman (now of AS Roma). Other, not as well known, midfielders across the world were targets of United's, but now after a long six months for those who are involved with United, supporters and staff, the man has arrived. That man is Juan Mata, and he is the start of the project.
Project? What project? The David Moyes project. Let's call it Project DM. This is the project that will show why no one inside United has been a bit worried about David Moyes' future. Reports that made some think 'utter b****cks' turned out to be true, as shown by Moyes recent purchase, and his south g tours across Europe, delving into the goods of Juventus, Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach. The reports were that Moyes had been given £200 million (yes you read that right) and as I said, after much doubt from United fans, he has implied that these reports are true.
"This is the first, and there will be many more to come in time. I want the quality of Juan to be the start of it."
I have spoken highly of 'Project DM', now time for you to see David Moyes' half assault on European midfielders in the summer slightly differently. Project DM - the steps:1. Make a marquee signing. Juan Mata from one of your biggest rivals ticks the first step. 2. Get Wayne Rooney tied down on a new contract. After the Mata signing he will accept the contract because he wants to play with top players, Mata being one. Tick. 3. Sign a central midfielder - To partner Michael Carrick and also to cover him. Michael Carrick is the ticking of the United bomb and without the Englishman, the bomb malfunctions like Guy Fawkes trying to blow up Parliament. Players like Tom Cleverley are starting to look like a piece of mouldy cheese that has been left sitting in the fridge for too long while the owner decides if it will actually eat it because it seems worth it. So, United need the Roy Keane figure they have lacked since the man with the magic hat left. Who is the man with the battered old magic hat? Three strong targets of United are Ilkay Gundogan, Arturo Vidal and Toni Kroos others include Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye and Southampton's Adam Lallana. Moyes was pictured with the agent of Toni Kroos, Marco Reus and Patrick Hermann at Bayern Munich's away tie with Borussia Monchengladbach. Sascha Breese (the agent) could have been talking to him about the nicest shops to buy Bratwürst, or about the availability of his players, Toni Kroos of Bayern Munich, and Patrick Hermann of Monchengladbach. Both are outstanding, young talents in Germany and will easily be regarded in the category that is bashed around these days, the 'top player' section of footballers. Interesting news arose from the depths of the Twitter-sphere on Sunday (26th January) as it emerged that Toni Kroos had stalled contract talks with Bayern Munich and although he may just want more money it doesn't half get you thinking about what Jim White may be saying on deadline day when talking about the biggest transfers of the window.
Arturo Vidal is another possible name Jim White may utter, excitedly, his yellow tie standing out on deadline day. The Juventus midfielder is one of the best, if not the best, midfielder in the World. The FIFpro team of the year caused uproar without the inclusion of him and should he sign for United, the fee would be near £40 million. It would mean Moyes and Manchester United would break the £100 million spent in a season mark for the first time ever but in the last few seasons its been easy to realise if you want to win, you have to spend, as demonstrated perfectly by Arsenal and Mesut Ozil.
The third midfielder strongly linked with United is Ilkay Gundogan. The Turkish international has been hailed for his performances against some the biggest clubs in the world like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He has been instrumental for Dortmund and as United are without Carrick, a crumbling ship as the game wears on, Dortmund without Gundogan are similar to a cracker, all crumbly and getting lost underneath cushions. With Gundogan and Carrick in midfield with Mata, Rooney, van Persie and Januzaj in front it would be hard to see United not winning the league within three years.