Moyes relaxed over summer dealings
David Moyes insists his Manchester United recruitment drive remains on track despite missing out on Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
United had been heavily linked with the Spain Under-21 star, who seemed certain to join the Red Devils after deciding he needed to leave the Nou Camp in order to further his World Cup ambitions. Instead, Thiago's former boss Pep Guardiola has stepped in, with the player now looking certain to join Bayern Munich.
Despite the disappointment, Moyes remains resolute in his squad-building strategy.
"I never said at any time he was," said Moyes, when asked if the Spain Under-21 star remained a target. "There are people we are actively chasing and we are happy with the way things are going."
It does appear Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay has agreed to join United though, with reports claiming a transfer is imminent, although there has been no official word from either club.
Moyes has his first match to focus on, against Singha All Stars on Saturday, although the subject of a departed player, Wayne Rooney, remains high on the agenda, much to the Scot's frustration.
Rooney may be back home in England, his pre-season tour ended after less than 24 hours with a grade one hamstring tear that will keep him on the sidelines for up to three weeks, but the questions about his future keep on coming.
In the latest instance the trigger was a comment from Jose Mourinho, who landed in Bangkok on Friday and took even less time than Rooney was in the country to make his presence felt.
Whilst, declared Jose, it was not proper to talk about the player of another club, neither was he prepared to stay silent.
"You know me," said Mourinho. "It is not in my character to speak to you with a little bit of hypocrisy. I always say what I think and, being fast and direct, I like him very much."
Moyes was weary of repeating himself over Rooney.
"Unless I was speaking double Dutch, I have said 'Wayne Rooney is not for sale'," he said. "I have really covered all the things on Wayne."
