Manchester United: 5 Confederations Cup Stars David Moyes Would Love to Sign

With the 2013 Confederations Cup set to kick off tomorrow, hosts Brazil will be hoping to put on a good show as they prepare to stage next year's World Cup.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side will compete against Spain, Japan, Mexico, Uruguay, Tahiti, Italy and Nigeria over the course of group and knock out rounds until one nation is crowned champions on the last day of June.

Though the spotlight will be on Brazil as hosts following doubts over whether the country would be ready in time to stage the 2014 World Cup, there will also be many a watchful eye on players of all eight nations, considering the tournament is taking place during a transfer window.

This is perhaps as good an opportunity as any for certain superstars to put themselves in the proverbial shop window with their performances as they attempt to engineer a move away from their current clubs.

Now that Premier League champions Manchester United have signed Uruguayan right-back Guillermo Varela, are there any more of his countrymen on incoming Devil's manager David Moyes transfer wishlist?

Here, we take a look at five Confederations Cup stars Moyes would love to sign.

Julio Cesar

Julio Cesar is one of three goalkeepers named in Luiz Felipe Scolari's 23-man Confederations Cup squad and will in all likelihood continue in his role as the country's No.1 goalkeeper.

This tournament is a wonderful opportunity for the Queens Park Rangers shot-stopper to present to the world his attributes and convince watching managers that he is worth rescuing from the lower-reaches of English football.

The Hoops were relegated to the Championship last season and the 33-year-old will not want to stick around at Loftus Road next season as his side entertains the likes of Millwall. 

The keeper won the UEFA Champions League with Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in 2010 and was twice named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year in 2009 and 2010 prior to his shock move to Harry Redknapp's side last summer.

One club who might be tempted to hand the 'keeper a lifeline in the summer is Manchester United.

Though David de Gea has since established himself as No.1 at Old Trafford after a shaky start to his career, there are doubts over No.2 Anders Lindegaard, who has been tipped to leave this summer.

United then could be interested in bringing in the Brazilian as an experienced understudy for the Spaniard, and his acquisition would provide Moyes with a suitable back-up plan should he suffer another dip in form. 

Giorgio Chiellini

Juventus' 28-year-old centre-back Giorgio Chiellini will be contesting the Confederations Cup with Italy and David Moyes may be keeping a watchful eye on the former Fiorentina man as he contemplates United's defensive issues ahead of the new season.

Rio Ferdinand will be turning 35 later this year and though he recently signed a one-year extension at the club, the ex-England international cannot be expected to carry on forever.

Meanwhile, there are concerns over the fitness of injury-prone Nemanja Vidic, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones also spent significant periods on the sidelines last season.

And that could merit a bid for Chiellini this summer, a player of whom United tried to sign in 2010.

The Red Devils were foiled in their pursuits of the Italian international after he signed a new contract to keep him in Turin until 2015, but with only two years remaining on his deal, United could be back in the frame to land his signature.

Daniele De Rossi

The Roma midfielder is another Italian who will be contesting the Confederations Cup this year and another rumoured target for Manchester United.

The 29-year-old is the current vice-captain of the Italian club but faces a far from certain future after having a furious row with recently sacked manager Zdenek Zeman. 

He emerged as one of Manchester City's top transfer targets last year while United and Real Madrid were understood to be keeping tabs also.

De Rossi has been heralded as "the complete midfielder" by pundits, due to his tackling, passing, strength and shooting abilities. Endowed with versatility, he can play in defence and in attack, and that's exactly the type of player United need.

With Paul Scholes retired and Ryan Giggs not far away either, along with the uncertainty surrounding exit-bound Anderson and illness-stricken Darren Fletcher, coupled with the fact Tom Cleverley is still developing, it is the engine room that Moyes needs to pay close attention to this summer, and the acquisition of De Rossi would be a welcome one despite his advancing years and fiery temperament. 

Héctor Herrera

Another midfield alternative for David Moyes this summer is Mexican Héctor Herrera. 

The 23-year-old has been named in manager José Manuel de la Torre's 23-man Confederations Cup squad and is known as a classic box-to-box midfielder—and it's no secret United need one of those.

Not since the days of Roy Keane have the Red Devils had a quality utility man and though Herrera is only 23 and apparently Porto-bound, he has spoken of his admiration for United. 

The Premier League champions made an official enquiry about the Mexican last summer and the youngster was once quoted as saying:

"

”Obviously I’d like to play in a team like Real Madrid or Barcelona, but one is aware of the football they play and the truth is I’d like to play in Manchester United or any other large team in those where I know that I am going to be playing.”

"

If he does end up at Porto as expected, that does not necessarily mean the end of his United dream. The Portuguese are renowned for selling their assets with Hulk, Falcao and Alvaro Pereira all being sold in the past two years while they also let Anderson go to Old Trafford in 2007.

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas will be hoping to fire Spain to Confederations Cup glory this month as a member of Vicente del Bosque's 23-man squad and the 26-year-old midfielder has been continuously linked with a move to United over the last month.

The former Arsenal skipper has apparently given "private encouragement" to David Moyes that a deal can be struck for his services despite claims to the contrary made by the midfielder, who publicly professes he is going nowhere. 

But that has not stopped the rumour mill from churning away with claims that privately, Fabregas is discontented with life in Barcelona and is seeking a move, just two years after quitting North London.

There's little questioning he would improve United's midfield, and maybe even make the Red Devils unstoppable, but there is plenty of confusion in the matter given Arsenal apparently have first refusal should Barca decide to sell.

Will you be watching the Confederations Cup? Which stars have you got your eye on?