David Moyes' disastrous tenure as Manchester United manager in 2013-2014 is usually remembered in terms of what could have been—on and off the pitch. Even though he inherited a Premier League-winning side from Sir Alex Ferguson, the Scot failed to sign some transfer targets that could have helped continue United's dominance.
Moyes later revealed that he pursued world-class talents such as Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos, and Leighton Baines, but these deals never materialized. Had these signings worked out, Manchester United's path under Moyes might have been altered significantly.
Gareth Bale: The One Who Got Away
When Moyes first had assumed office at Old Trafford, his very first transfer signing was Gareth Bale. Bale was already a big name, and one of the world's greatest wingers having lit up the Premier League with his brilliance playing for Tottenham Hotspur.
Later in an interview, Moyes unveiled:
"When I first went in, my actual target was Gareth Bale. I thought throughout that Gareth Bale was a Manchester United player. I struggled until the end."
Manchester United even offered Real Madrid a better financial offer than that, yet Bale insisted that he wished to play for the club in Spain. The Welshman signed then-record £85 million transfer to the Santiago Bernabéu in the summer of 2013 and has since won myriad Champions League trophies.
If Moyes had persuaded Bale to join United, it might have given the Red Devils a killer attacking team capable of turning around the club's fortunes.
Cesc Fabregas: The Midfield Maestro That Never Came
Recognizing the need for midfield reinforcement, Moyes turned to Cesc Fabregas, who was not receiving sufficient playing time at FC Barcelona. The former Arsenal captain seemed an ideal candidate, with creative play, vision, and passing ability that United's midfield was missing.
Moyes recalled:
*"The other one was Cesc Fabregas, who we thought we would get right up until the last minute.".
Negotiations for Barcelona were lengthily, and United reportedly issued two separate bids for the Spanish midfielder. Fabregas had opted to stay at Barcelona, though, before eventually returning to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2014.
Toni Kroos: The Spoken Pledge That Went Sour
One of the most acrimonious miss-signings was Toni Kroos. Moyes had reportedly verbally agreed terms with the German midfielder and his representatives for a summer transfer in 2014.
"Toni Kroos was signed up to arrive in the summer. I'd agreed it with Toni himself and his agent," Moyes later revealed.
But before the transfer could go through, Moyes was sacked in April 2014. With United's managerial uncertainty, Kroos opted to sign for Real Madrid instead. At Los Blancos, he was a key player in their numerous Champions League wins, becoming one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
Leighton Baines: The Dependable Left-Back Who Stuck with Everton
With his familiarity with Leighton Baines during their time at Everton, Moyes wanted to bring the veteran left-back to Old Trafford. Patrice Evra was close to the sunset of his playing years at the time, and thus Baines was the ideal one to take over from him.
While United were keen, Everton would not sell, and so Baines stayed at Goodison Park. Though United did sign Luke Shaw in 2014, Baines' experience and consistency might have provided the club with more near-term stability.
What Could Have Been: The Impact of These Missed Signings
If Moyes had been successful in recruiting even two of these players, United's fate in 2013-14 would have been significantly different. A front line featuring Gareth Bale, supported by a midfield that featured Fabregas or Kroos, would have kept the Red Devils competitive at home as well as in Europe.
Instead, United finished seventh in the Premier League—their worst top-flight league standing in the modern era—and failed to qualify for the Champions League. This was the beginning of a turbulent era for the club, with a series of managers attempting to bring stability.
Moyes' Career After Manchester United
Despite all his troubles at United, Moyes rehabilitated himself years later. After short spells at Real Sociedad and Sunderland, he went back to West Ham United and led them to Europa Conference League victory in 2023.
Currently, Moyes is once more at the helm of Everton, reviving the squad, guiding it on a five-game unbeaten run. Paradoxically, Everton is presently above Manchester United in the 2025 Premier League table—a reflection of the managerial skill of Moyes.
For the latest football transfer news, complete with the newest Manchester United transfer targets, look to Latest Football Transfer News.
Everton vs. Manchester United: A Pivotal Encounter Awaits
Moyes' Everton hosts Manchester United in a coming Premier League game at Goodison Park. The match is of crucial significance, with Everton looking to continue their good form while United, under Ruben Amorim's charge, struggles to be consistent.
With only four wins in 14 league games under Amorim, the pressure is mounting at Old Trafford. There are still plenty of United fans who wonder—what if the club had provided Moyes with a bit more time and promised the signings he desired?
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Conclusion
David Moyes' Manchester United stint is becoming a scandal. Was he the right man for the job? Did the club disappoint him for not signing his top transfer targets? Either way, the inability to sign Bale, Fabregas, Kroos, and Baines is one of the biggest "what-ifs" of the last decade.
United fans can only imagine how things might have unfolded had these transfers gone through. Would Moyes have built a new dynasty at Old Trafford? We’ll never know.
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