We take a look at five players David Moyes might have been watching as Atletico Madrid and Porto took each other on last night.
Last night Twitter was awash with pictures of David Moyes taking in the sights of the Atletico Madrid v Porto game at the Vicente Calderon.
The two sides faced off in the Champions League last night – in a game that Los Colchoneros won 2-0.
But with Moyes facing scrutiny for his transfer activity in the summer surely United fans will be pleased to see him getting prepared ahead of January at this early stage.
But who could he have been looking at?
Here are five options…
Arda Turan
The Turkish playmaker was tentatively linked with Manchester United at the end of November and it is easy to see why.
A creative midfielder capable of playing in a variety of positions he has long been linked with a Premier League move – Liverpool also said to be keen.
He has a £33 million release clause in a recently signed deal in the Spanish capital – so is certainly an option.
He came on as a second half substitute.
Eliaquim Mangala
Perhaps Moyes feels it is time to freshen up the defence.
The ageing bodies of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand continues to wreak havoc on team selection while Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, talented as they are, also have their drawbacks.
Maybe it was the French international at Porto Eliaquim Mangala that was being scouted.
Fernando
Linked with Moyes’ former club Everton in the summer a move fell through because of Work Permit issues.
That is no longer an issue, as he has a Portuguese passport, and the box-to-box midfielder is highly thought of across Europe.
His contract expires in the summer so could be available on the cheap.
Koke
This is the name most people have associated with Moyes’ midweek jolly to Spain.
The winger turned central midfielder has been in great form of late and Moyes has been heavily linked in recent weeks.
Valued at around £15 million he put in a decent performance – and would have impressed the United gaffer no doubt.
Lucho Gonzalez
Pitchforks down, this option only springs to my mind because of the history between the two.
Moyes tried on several occasions to bring the Argentine to Goodison Park but he went to Marseille instead.
But he turns 33 in January so surely he will not want to chase him at this stage of his career.
image: © derickleony
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
