With the Community Shield, the season’s curtain riser, just over two weeks away, the media are increasing the pressure on David Moyes to strengthen his Manchester United squad and keep up with the spending sprees Chelsea and Manchester City have embarked upon since the opening of the transfer window.
Moyes has not only yet to land a significant signing, he also has to resolve the issue surrounding Wayne Rooney. The striker still hasn’t publicly committed to the club and is thought to be determined to force his way out of Old Trafford, but United expect him to travel to Stockholm in 10 days time for a friendly.
The Daily Star has had enough of speculations and jumps the gun rather spectacularly today, claiming that Rooney has already a shirt number allocated at Stamford Bridge. With the number 10 shirt already taken by Juan Mata, the tabloid claims the United striker will wear number 23, a number made iconic by Michael Jordan and the same number David Beckham wore at Real Madrid.
Typically, the Star’s “exclusive” doesn’t offer any sources, unlike the Daily Mirror who reports that Chelsea are “privately confident” they’ll secure Wayne Rooney’s services before deadline day. Jose Mourinho spoke about Chelsea’s main target this summer, after his side trounced an Indonesian All Star side 8-1.
“There is no transfer movement, no.
“At this moment we have done what you know, made that bid which was public and official,” said the Portuguese.
“After that nothing else. But we are calm, as we told you that we are calm, because we are happy with what we have.”
United are thought to be reluctant to part ways with Rooney at least until they’ve secured a top player, however the striker could remain at Old Trafford even if United were to finally land a world class signing, namely Cesc Fabregas, claims the Guardian.
United’s strategy in the transfer window – including their views on Rooney – would change only if the club were to pull off the signing of either Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo, but with chances of either deal materialising looking increasingly slim, United look poised to keep Rooney at the club.
The broadsheet believes United will wait until July 31 to trigger Marouane Fellaini’s release clause, with David Moyes confident of being able to secure a better deal for the Everton player, than the current asking price of £23m. Having described a third bid for Cesc Fabregas as “ongoing”, Moyes might want to wait to see how things pan out with Barcelona, before making any serious approach for Fellaini who, continues the Guardian, is seen as one of two midfielders David Moyes ideally wants to add to his squad.
Elsewhere, the Sun claims that United hopes of signing Cesc Fabregas have received a timely boost after the Spaniard has told some of his friends that he’s worries about Barcelona’s future and that, should prospects not improve under new boss Gerardo Martino, he’d relish the prospect of joining forces with his former teammate Robin Van Persie.
Mind you, friends aren’t exactly a reliable source, are they?
