DAVID MOYES CHASING MIDFIELD STAR FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

ABOVE: David Moyes has clearly identified central midfield as an area Manchester United need to strengthen

He wants to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas. Kevin Strootman is also on his radar, along with Thiago Alcantara and Marouane Fellaini.

14th June 2013

By Jeremy Cross

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DAVID MOYES might appear to be walking into a dream job when he becomes Manchester United boss next month.

He will be taking charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world and a squad most managers can only dream about.
Considering United romped to a record 20th league title last season, Moyes could be forgiven for thinking he can just breeze into Old Trafford and carry on where Sir Alex Ferguson left off.
But the truth is things are far less simple for Moyes than But the truth is things are far less simple for Moyes than they appear - and the biggest issue facing the Scot is that he has a midfield conundrum to solve.
Despite his continued success right up to the date of his retirement, Fergie faced it too - but failed to resolve it.
The fact is United lack genuine class in central midfield to succeed at the highest level.
And Fergie knew it deep down but didn't manage to do much about it.
It resulted in United losing two Champions League finals to Barcelona, who boasted Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
It got worse than that, though. In the last two seasons United failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
They were found wanting at the highest level and this will have contributed to Fergie's decision to call time on his illustrious career.
In recent seasons he tried but failed to sign Wesley Sneijder, Frank Lampard and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
It left him having to shuffle a midfield pack that included such mediocre talents as Anderson, Ji-Sung Park, Liam Miller, Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Alan Smith.
Fergie relied on Paul Scholes, despite his ageing legs, and was delighted when the former England star came out of retirement.
But even the mercurial Scholes struggled to paper over the widening cracks running through the middle of United's team.

Ryan Giggs has also dropped into a deeper and more central role in the twilight of his wonderful career.
Michael Carrick held United together for most of last season and has matured into an influential force.
However, the fact is United have lacked a midfield general since Roy Keane.
This might explain why Moyes has wasted no time in considering his options.
He wants to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas. Kevin Strootman is also on his radar, along with Thiago Alcantara and Marouane Fellaini.
Should Ronaldo stay at Real Madrid, then Fabregas tops his wish-list. However, Starsport understands United are braced for a long fight to get him to Old Trafford from Barcelona.
Fabregas doesn't want to leave the Spanish champions but may have no choice should Barca make some more significant signings before the new season.
Brazilian Neymar has already joined them and Nou Camp bosses are determined to see them return to the top of the European tree.
Moyes will have a plan that includes someone like Fabregas, who he hopes will make United the complete side again.
This will involve Carrick and Phil Jones being holding players, with an attacking three revolving around the likes of Ronaldo, Fabregas, Shinji Kagawa, Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney.
Robin van Persie will lead the line and with more creative and attacking support the Dutchman would scale even greater heights.
The pressure is on Moyes to continue United's success.
Domestic dominance should not be a problem.
But if Moyes is to lead United to more European glory, he will have to succeed where Fergie failed in recent times - and create a midfield good enough to do so.