Manchester United and Midfielders

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10277497/Manchester-United-prepare-40m-double-swoop-for-Bilbaos-Ander-Herrera-and-Romas-Daniele-De-Rossi.html

Manchester United prepare £40m double swoop for Bilbao's Ander Herrera and Roma's Daniele De Rossi

Regarded as a box-to-box playmaker, Moyes views Herrera as offering the qualities which he had hoped Fabregas would bring to Old Trafford, prior to Barcelona’s refusal to sell a player who had offered encouragement to United that he would be prepared to leave the Nou Camp.

With fewer than 72 hours remaining in the transfer window, however, United are ready to return with an offer which would trigger Herrera’s clause.

Moyes has so far added only Uruguayan youngster Guillermo Varela to his squad since succeeding Ferguson at the end of last season. But while Everton continue to resist United’s efforts to sign Fellaini and Baines, Moyes is determined to act on other fronts while a further move for the Goodison pair is considered.

United’s move for De Rossi, a long-term target of Manchester City during Roberto Mancini’s reign as manager, is likely to prove the most difficult to pull off due to the Italian’s reservations about leaving his hometown club.

Although the 30-year-old was keen to leave Roma at the end of last season, recent talks with manager Rudi Garcia have prompted a change of heart and, despite the club’s readiness to sell at the right price, De Rossi has told friends that he is prepared to see out the remaining four years of his contract.

Sources in Italy, however, have claimed that senior figures at United have canvassed Fabio Capello for his opinion on De Rossi, with the former England and Roma coach praising the defensive midfielder’s attributes.