Manchester United’s failure to sign Cesc Fabregas was only confirmed after the former Barcelona star had made a promise to David Moyes — during a phone call at a motorway service station.
Moyes had made signing Fabregas his top target in the summer of 2013 after taking the reins from Sir Alex Ferguson. But with the Red Devils struggling to push through deals and an ageing squad to replace, Moyes’ efforts became more desperate as the transfer window entered the final month.
It emerged that Fabregas had been unhappy with his bit-part role at Camp Nou and was open to a move back to the Premier League, where he had spent eight years with Arsenal from 2003 to 2011. And securing a big-name like the World Cup winner would have proved to be a morale-boosting signing for Moyes as he attempted to fill his countryman’s large boots.
