United won’t panic buy in January

In news that will surprise nobody, Manchester United are expected to avoid any panic signings this January, with David Moyes’ and the club hierarchy thought to be keener on long-term planning, rather than stop-gap signings.

While, theoretically, that would be an smart move and a route United and the Glazers should have embarked on many years ago, United’s current predicament is such that news ruling out any January signings could have a devastating effect on the fans and the players alike, with the former category in particular desperate for a lift.

Having bottled the summer transfer window in spectacularly catastrophic fashion, United have spent the first 20 days of the January transfer window being linked with just about any player that could remotely improve their fortunes (an increasingly large category, if we’re honest), while Moyes and his staff have flown across Europe to scout dozens of players.

However, with just 10 days left before the first transfer window of 2014 shuts its door for another five months, United are as close to make a signing as Ed Woodward is to understand something, anything really, about football.

Jamie Jackson, Manchester football correspondent for the Guardian, yesterday reported that “United’s transfer policy will remain focused on a long-term approach, with only the very best being targeted. That means no rash moves for ordinary Premier League players and an attempt to sign Newcastle United’s Yohan Cabaye has already been ruled out by David Moyes.”

Furthermore, writes Jackson, “the prospect of not being able to attract high-class talent by being out of Europe’s elite club competition is of no concern to United” as the Glazers remain confident that even without a Champions League spot, the cash cow that is the club’s brand will continue to generate enough revenue to keep them satisfied in their Florida mansion.

If true, and there’s very little that suggests otherwise, given the Glazers’ policy and Moyes’ approach to the transfer window, sounds like a damning statement of what United can expect over the next couple of months and, possibly, over the next seasons, for there are no guarantees at all that the summer window will be a successful one.

Moyes insisted that the club have plans for the feature and that they’re determined to see them through.

“The club know exactly what we want to do and the direction we want to go and the type of players we want to bring to the club and a lot aren’t available in this window. If we could get any of them we would do, we are trying but more than likely most people know it is difficult.

“I think the club have always said it is long-term, we know there is a job to be done and we have an idea of players we would like to bring in and we would like them now, but more than likely won’t be.”

The fun just never stops, does it?
Dan
Follow @mufc_dan87