• Premier League

Moyes set for January spending spree

David Moyes is to be given transfer funds in the region of £50 million to strengthen the Manchester United squad in January, according to widespread media reports.

Club sources have told a number of newspapers that the Glazer family plans to bankroll high-profile mid-season signings after a disappointing start to the season.

The Guardian and The Sun believe Moyes may make a fresh move for Everton left-back Leighton Baines and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, having failed with bids for the pair over the summer, while the Daily Mirror and Daily Telegraph report that Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala is also under consideration.

The Times, which suggests the Glazers could invest in excess of £100 million, indicates that Barcelona star Andres Iniesta is being monitored - though the prospect of a deal is unlikely with the Spain international likely to sign a new deal - while Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is under consideration.

Moyes, speaking ahead of his side's trip to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, warned that United have little prospect of claiming a fourth European crown with the current squad.

"To win the Champions League, you need five or six world-class players," he told reporters.

"Look at Bayern Munich - they have it. Look at Barcelona, who had it in the past, and Real Madrid, who have maybe got it now. That's the level you have to be at to win it. We've not got that yet but what we have got is experience."

The Independent and the Daily Mail stresses that Moyes retains the full backing of the owners and that there is a belief that the club should have paid to free the Scot from his Everton contract to allow him to begin his pursuit of new players prior to July 1.

The Times also claims Rio Ferdinand and Shinji Kagawa could be allowed to leave, with the latter telling the media he interpreted his substitution in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to West Brom as a sign that he is fighting for his future.

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