David Moyes has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson fully backed his decision to move for one “big signing” for Manchester United during his ill-fated spell at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson called it time on his legendary career in 2013 after he led Manchester United to their last Premier League title.
The 82-year-old legendary former United manager wanted David Moyes to succeed him in the Old Trafford hot seat following his exit at the end of the 2012-13 season.
David Moyes had made a name for himself during his long spell with Everton and took charge of United in 2013 after he signed a six-year deal with the club.
The 61-year-old Scotsman’s only piece of silverware at Old Trafford came in the form of the Community Shield, with United beating Wigan Athletic 2-0 in 2013.
However, Moyes endured a torrid spell with the then-Premier League champions and the former Everton boss was sacked after only 10 months in charge.
United legend Ryan Giggs, who was a player-coach under Moyes, was appointed interim manager of the Red Devils after the Scotsman’s sacking in 2014.
Moyes talks Ferguson and Man Utd target
David Moyes’ only major summer signing at Manchester United was his reunion with former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini at Old Trafford.
Marouane Fellaini cost United a £27.5m fee as part of a late transfer deadline-day signing, having previously had a £23.5m release clause in his Everton contract.
United also brought in youngsters Guillermo Varela and Saidy Janko from Atletico Penarol and FC Zurich respectively.
The Red Devils had failed to sign Fabio Coentrao on loan from Real Madrid, while United were unable to pry Leighton Baines away from Everton.
Speaking on Up Front with Simon Jordan, Moyes has now revealed that he had spoken with Sir Alex Ferguson about signing Cesc Fabregas.
Cesc Fabregas was at Barcelona at the time and Moyes admitted that the 37-year-old Spaniard was the player that he “really wanted” at Old Trafford.
“We just didn’t make good enough signings in my first transfer window,” Moyes told Simon Jordan.
“Marouane Fellaini was signed right on deadline day and, in truth, in terms of the signings I wanted, we had a terrible window.
“Cesc Fabregas was the player I really wanted. I discussed it with Sir Alex Ferguson and we agreed he was a player that should be brought in.
“I spoke to Cesc and he’d been out of the team at Barcelona, so he agreed that if he wasn’t in the team for their first game of the season then he’d come to United. He was going to be the big signing.”
Moyes on another Man Utd target
Cesc Fabregas remained at Barcelona despite United’s interest, with the former Arsenal midfielder returning to England with Chelsea in 2014.
Moyes said that former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was another player on his radar and United made the “bigger offer” to Tottenham to sign the Welshman.
“The other player I wanted was Gareth Bale. United always had great wide players like David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, so I thought he would fit,” he said.
“We made the bigger offer to Tottenham and to the player, we had a helicopter waiting for him, but he had his heart set on Real Madrid.”
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