In January 2014, Manchester United were in pursuit of what they considered to be their first statement signing of the post Alex Ferguson era. The summer before had unraveled in a panic. David Moyes, the new manager appointed by Alex Ferguson, had wanted to sign Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas. In the end, Manchester United ended up with Marouane Fellaini. Bale joined Real Madrid and Fabregas joined Chelsea. Moyes, as was explained recently in The Sunday Times, didn’t start at Old Trafford until July 1 because, rather than pay up his contract at Everton, the Glazers preferred to let it…

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