Juan Mata is confident Manchester United will make some big signings during the summer, as they look to improve on a disappointing season.
The Reds romped to a record-extending 20th league title under Sir Alex Ferguson last term, but they have struggled badly this time round under his successor David Moyes. Not only are the champions nowhere to be seen as the race for the crown enters the business end of the season, but they are also almost certainly going to finish out of the top four.
United are currently seventh place in the Premier League and 10 points behind Arsenal, although they do have a game in hand over the Gunners. And with Bayern Munich eliminating them from the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage, there is a distinct possibility of no European football at Old Trafford next term.
It has been a hugely troubling debut season for Moyes, who has spent over £60million in adding Marouane Fellaini and Mata to his squad. It has been claimed that the Scot will be given £200million to spend in the summer, and although there is unlikely to be Champions League football on the agenda, he has been backed to get the right players in.
“When I joined, in all my conversations with the board and the manager about next season, they were confident about getting the right players,” Mata told the Daily Mirror. “They know, and I know, we’re in a transitional moment, but in the summer they’re going to try to sign a few players and I have the faith they are going to bring top players in.
“I’m sure this club is going to come back and fight for every trophy. The club is in a transitional moment. They had Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager for the last 26 years, so I think it’s a big change for the club. But we have to look forward to the future, and I have to say I think the future for this club will be bright, because it deserves the best.”
Despite the doubts some have about United being able to attract the best players on the market ahead of next season, this hasn’t stopped them from being linked with a host of big-money additions. Most notably, German international Toni Kroos, of Bayern, is said to be a top target, and an offer of around £25million is expected to be lodged for his signature.
Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala is also believed to be on the wanted list, although rivals and neighbours City are also known admirers and came close to signing him in January. The Daily Mail, meanwhile, claim Adil Rami has been offered to Moyes, with Valencia asking for a fee of £10million for the 28-year-old France international centre-half.
