David Moyes missed out on dream Man Utd transfer after promise made during phone call

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.

According to The Athletic, Moyes held talks with Fabregas over the phone to try and lure the Spaniard to Old Trafford. The second of their two calls took place when the United boss drove down to South Wales to watch Swansea host Malmo in a Europa League qualifier in August 2013.

The Swans were due to face Moyes’ side two weeks later in the first Premier League fixture of the season and, halfway through his four-hour journey down from Manchester, Moyes apparently stopped at Gloucester service station on the M5.

It was there where he picked up the phone and spoke to Fabregas, who made a promise to Moyes that if he wasn’t in the starting lineup for Barcelona’s first LaLiga match of the season, he would request a transfer to join United.

United lodged a bid by contacting Barca director Sandro Rosell on August 6, confirming their interesting in signing the Spain playmaker. But, with Barca not playing