Manchester United in second bid for Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas: United target. Picture: PA

Despite being linked with a host of big names, Moyes is still to make his first significant signing as United manager.

A move for Thiago Alcantara ended in failure when the 22-year-old opted to link up with his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. Now United are trying to force through a move for another Barca midfielder.

Having been given guidance that Cesc Fabregas is interested in joining former team-mate Robin van Persie at Old Trafford, Moyes revealed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who returned home from Sydney on “urgent transfer business” on Thursday has lodged a second bid for the former Arsenal captain.

Though Moyes appreciates why supporters are getting agitated, he feels there are extenuating circumstances which were always likely to make life difficult this summer. “I can understand that feeling,” he said. “But there have been quite a few changes. Other managers have changed their clubs too and everybody thought this might be the summer when transfers are done later in the month. That was always the thought I had when I came into the club.

“You have to remember I only started on July 1, so I have only been in the job three weeks.” Clearly, though, Fabregas is one of the men he wants, with potential marquee signings Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale also on the radar, along with Everton duo Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, plus Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye.

“My understanding is that Ed has had a response and has spoken with them,” Moyes said of the attempt to land Fabregas. “I think we have made a second offer but Ed is dealing with that rather than me.”

Not that Moyes is prepared to wait forever. “I think a point does come,” the Scot said. “But when you are interested in good players you want to give it every opportunity to materialise. I will hope things will continue to move forward.

“I can only tell you Ed Woodward is working hard to try and make the deals happen. We hope some of them will fall into place shortly.”

There are still six weeks before the transfer window closes and it is not unusual for United to make significant purchases late in the day. Record signing Dimitar Berbatov arrived minutes before the deadline in 2008.

Ideally, Moyes would have players integrated prior to the opening game at Swansea on 17 August, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to be faced in the tricky opening weeks. His pre-season squad has been bolstered by the arrivals of Chris Smalling and Ashley Young, who have shaken off foot and ankle problems respectively.

In addition, local hero Shinji Kagawa has linked up with his team-mates, the undoubted star attraction for two matches in Japan that open with a meeting against J.League outfit Yokohama F Marinos.

“They probably won’t start in this game but I want to get them involved,” Moyes said. “Young and Smalling have been training very hard back home and, although Shinji has been on holiday, he has been training. We will involve the three players as we go along.”