Sep 4 2013, 09:08 AM
QUOTE
Manchester United
In: Marouane Fellaini, Guillermo Varela
Out: Scott Wootton, Paul Scholes (retired), Nick Powell (loan)
Marouane Fellaini
PA Photos
It took until the eleventh hour, but United finally secured Marouane Fellaini.
This is one we're going to hear a lot more about, which effectively sums it all up. Three key facts sum up what was essentially one of the most important summers in the club's entire history after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. First of all, United badly wanted a marquee name to alter the tone after that seismic event; they got none. Secondly, Moyes was desperate for at least two midfielders to improve an area he was increasingly concerned about; he got one. Finally, even in order to get Fellaini, United had to overpay after a summer of trying to underpay. That further reflects the apparent absence of any kind of clear plan, which also saw the club sway from not just different target to different target, but even different styles of targets. After all that, keeping Wayne Rooney seems even more important and may end up proving their best piece of business. The United team is ultimately still competitive and Fellaini fits into what Moyes wants while also filling a gap. United, though, wanted to do more than fill a gap. They wanted to make a statement and a response. Instead, their image has been damaged and questions about their direction raised. It has been a PR disaster, and one that may have an on-pitch effect.
Grade: D
more news ... sosIn: Marouane Fellaini, Guillermo Varela
Out: Scott Wootton, Paul Scholes (retired), Nick Powell (loan)
Marouane Fellaini
PA Photos
It took until the eleventh hour, but United finally secured Marouane Fellaini.
This is one we're going to hear a lot more about, which effectively sums it all up. Three key facts sum up what was essentially one of the most important summers in the club's entire history after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. First of all, United badly wanted a marquee name to alter the tone after that seismic event; they got none. Secondly, Moyes was desperate for at least two midfielders to improve an area he was increasingly concerned about; he got one. Finally, even in order to get Fellaini, United had to overpay after a summer of trying to underpay. That further reflects the apparent absence of any kind of clear plan, which also saw the club sway from not just different target to different target, but even different styles of targets. After all that, keeping Wayne Rooney seems even more important and may end up proving their best piece of business. The United team is ultimately still competitive and Fellaini fits into what Moyes wants while also filling a gap. United, though, wanted to do more than fill a gap. They wanted to make a statement and a response. Instead, their image has been damaged and questions about their direction raised. It has been a PR disaster, and one that may have an on-pitch effect.
Grade: D
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