David Moyes' Failed Summer Target Addresses Manchester United Rumours

Manchester United failed to sign Ander Herrera because the midfielder did not want to leave Athletic Bilbao.

The 24-year-old was a transfer target for the Premier League champions in the summer. However, the deal collapsed in the final days of the transfer window after the Spaniard's agent told IBTimes UK that the two clubs could not agree a fee.

A report in The Guardian claims United could be back for another bid in January as Moyes looks to strengthen the squad. The English champions are struggling in the Premier League, sitting ninth in the table.

However, Herrera has played down any possibility of a move to Old Trafford in January.

"I appreciate both Manchester United's interest in me and the fact that I am considered so important to Athletic that they did not accept any bid for me," the Mirror quoted Herrera as saying.

"That means that Athletic values me above money and trust in me more than money for our current project. I'm right where I want to be. I'm not a player who wants to change teams, I've taken root at Athletic and it is the perfect place for me to be."

United could now turn their attention to signing Everton Ribeiro in January. He was recently named the player of the year in Brazil after guiding Cruzeiro to the league title.

The midfielder has made no secret of his desire to play for the English champions and Ribeiro's agent has already confirmed United's interest in the Brazilian. His representative Robson Ferreira has made a trip to England and negotiations are ongoing over a possible transfer in January.

Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson after the latter stepped down from his post at the end of the last season. The 50-year-old manager had a poor summer transfer window, with Marouane Fellaini United's only high profile signing.

The former Everton manager has admitted that United could spend big in January.