Manchester United: Why David Moyes Can't Convince Fans with Fellaini and Baines

Most Manchester United supporters will agree that David Moyes needs to strengthen his squad before the start of the season.

And it seems that Moyes agrees, if his interest in Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona and Thiago Alcantara, now at Bayern Munich, is anything to go by.

But while most fans were keen to see either Thiago or Fabregas move to Old Trafford, opinion is split over whether two of the latest targets, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, are the right additions.

United have needed a central midfielder for some time, and Fellaini offers a physical presence and a goal threat. With Patrice Evra now 32, they'll need a left-back soon, too, and Baines was voted the best in the Premier League last season.

So what's the problem? 

Part of it may be that they play for Everton, rather than a Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. United fans have seen them play in England for some time, and for a team which saw success as a top-six finish and a cup run.

The mood would perhaps be different if Fellaini, who's still only 25, had been playing in Italy or Spain for the last couple of years.

Baines is a different case. The need for a left-back isn't as great as the need for a midfielder. Evra suffered a dip in form two seasons ago but returned to something like his best last year. 

He will need to be replaced sooner rather than later, but Baines will be 29 in December and hasn't got long at the top of his game either. It would be easier to understand if Moyes were looking to bring in Luke Shaw from Southampton, because, at 18, time is on Shaw's side.

But there's also an argument that Moyes is already suffering from not being Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Ferguson was so successful at Old Trafford, and over such a long period of time, that he deserved the benefit of the doubt. 

He had some nightmares in the transfer market, but there was a sense that if he spent big money, the player had a good chance of fitting into the team and being successful. 

Moyes, however, has still got a lot to prove as United manager, and he's yet to build a trust with the fans. That might come in time, but it's not there yet.

As a former manager of Everton, and with his going back to his old club for his first signings, it's easy to accuse him of taking a step backwards. 

It's doubtful whether there would be quite so much outrage if it were Sir Alex doing the bidding.