By DAN KARELL
It’s safe to say that if given a second chance, David Moyes may have conducted his first transfer window as Manchester United manager differently.
Moyes acquired only one player, Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini for a fee of £27.5 million ($43 million) just moments before the end of the summer transfer window closed, but his legacy in this window will be remembered more for the linked players that he failed to sign.
The latest report is that Man United had submitted a season-long loan move with Real Madrid want-away left back Fabio Coentrao just before the deadline ended. However, due to Real Madrid missing out on signing left back Guilherme Siqueira from Granada, the Spanish club pulled out of the deal, leaving Moyes without a left back that he desired.
Man United’s failure to acquire the Portuguese international Coentrao only adds to the frustration of a summer that included failed attempts to sign three Spanish midfielders; Thiago Alcantara, who went to Bayern Munich, Cesc Fabregas, who stayed at Barcelona, and Ander Herrera, who Man United couldn’t agree a fee with his club, Athletic Bilbao.
Here are some more stories to get your Tuesday started:
MARTINEZ SET FOR SPELL ON BAYERN SIDELINES
Despite playing in and scoring the tying goal in extra time of the UEFA Super Cup, during Bayern Munich’s victory in penalty kicks against Chelsea, Javi Martinez will be missing the international break and potentially more time due to a groin injury.
The midfielder has decided to have an operation on Tuesday in Munich to take care of the issue, which according to reports in Spain, is affecting a nerve. A report in Marca specifically says that Martinez suffered the injury during Spain’s match against Ecuador in mid-August.
Since joining Bayern last season, Martinez has been one of the key members, helping the side to the treble last season with 43 appearances in defensive midfield and even center back. In addition to Martinez’s injury, Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has pulled out of the Germany squad for their World Cup qualifiers to rest his ailing ankle.
PODOLSKI RULED OUT FOR THREE MONTHS
Although Arsenal fans are celebrating the signing of Mesut Özil around the world, the club has been given a shock that will surely send them back to earth.
Winger Lukas Podolski, who has scored two goals already in the young season, was ruled out for at least three months, after a hamstring tear was confirmed. The German international traveled to Munich to meet up with the international squad, even though he was already ruled out with the injury, and the national team doctors confirmed the worse diagnosis.
Podolski was forced off just four minutes into Arsenal’s second-leg Champions League play-off round match against Fenerbahce, initially being ruled out for three weeks and then later eight to ten weeks.
QUICK KICKS
A Saudi prince, Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has bought a 50 percent stake in English League One club Sheffield United. (REPORT)
Holland National Team head coach Louis Van Gaal has had to call in Adam Maher to replace Rafael Van der Vaart, who suffered a torn muscle in training on Tuesday. (REPORT)
Osasuna have sacked coach Jose Luis Mendilibar just three months after giving him an extension due to no points in three games in La Liga. Mendilibar is the first La Liga coach fired in the young season. (REPORT)
Tottenham midfielder Etienne Capoue has been ruled out of action for four weeks due to an ankle sprain suffered in Spurs defeat to rivals Arsenal. (REPORT)
Atletico Madrid announced that talented youngsters Koke, Oliver, and Manquillo have all signed new contracts through 2018. (REPORT)
————
What do you think of these reports? Do you feel that United needed Coentrao? Do you see Martinez returning in time for Bayern’s next match? How big of a loss is Podolski to Arsenal?
Share your thoughts below.