Manchester United Transfer News: David Moyes' Quotes Hurt Possible Transfers

David Moyes has a lot to learn when it comes to handling transfers at Manchester United.

The former Everton manager made quite a fool of himself when he said Roberto Martinez should sell Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines because it's in the best interests of the players (h/t The Guardian's Jamie Jackson):

"

I definitely do but I also know that if I'd been Everton manager and Sir Alex had come asking for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, I'd have found it very difficult to keep them because I always felt the right thing to do was what was right for the players.

"

It's quite a shocking thing for Moyes to say, since he's keeping Wayne Rooney, despite the player wanting to leave Old Trafford (h/t the Daily Mirror's John Cross).

Phil McNulty of the BBC wonders how Everton's David Moyes would react to Manchester United's David Moyes' pursuit of Fellaini and Baines.

Martinez responded by continuing to claim the two stars aren't available (h/t Andy Hunter of The Guardian):

"

The Everton manager admitted "every player has got a price" but insisted he had no valuation in mind for Fellaini and Baines. "We don't want to sell, that's our position," he added. "Everyone can have an opinion on a player's worth but when you offer below what a club paid for a player, after five years of development [Fellaini], then it is a nonsense.It is a bit of a farce really."

"

More importantly, Moyes' comments seem to have put an end to whatever interest Everton had in selling Fellaini and Baines (h/t Hunter):

"

If managers start talking about players who are registered with other clubs it's the end of the whole thing. People should look after their own things internally. I am sure they have their own issues. I could come out and give my opinions about his players, but I will be a bit more respectful than that.

"

Manchester United are no strangers to mind games. Sir Alex Ferguson knew exactly what buttons to push when it came to transfer targets and opposing managers who were chasing the Red Devils in the table. Just ask Rafa Benitez and Kevin Keegan.

Not often would he cross the line in the way which Moyes did, but even if he did, he had at least earned himself some slack with the success he brought to the club and also his run with Aberdeen. Ferguson was and continues to be a legend of the sport.

Moyes hasn't earned that reputation yet, and he certainly hasn't earned the right to chastise his former club for refusing to sell players that he himself had refused to sell just one year earlier.

You could dismiss this if the new United manager was simply speaking out of turn, and that was the end of it. However, what he said appears to have had a detrimental impact on Manchester United's ability to sign two players, one of whom would really help the club.

Baines isn't really a player that United need. They have enough quality left-backs and shouldn't be spending money to buy a 28-year-old full-back. Fellaini, on the other hand, is the defensive midfielder who would really help United's midfield. He can shield the defence and also get forward when necessary.

Now United will likely have to look elsewhere again to find their central midfielder.

Martinez had never been too receptive to seeing his two best players leave. He wasn't going to see Fellaini and Baines leave without a fight. However, prior to Moyes speaking out, Martinez probably would have eventually seen the duo off before September 2.

Now, there's virtually no chance United can get the players. Martinez is going to bunker down even more and demand an even higher fee for the players. If Manchester United can get the players, then Moyes will have cost his club a couple of extra million pounds.

Rarely do you see managers undermining their own attempts to buy a player. That's exactly what has happened here. It's not the ideal way to start your first season following a legendary manager.

Moyes and Ed Woodward have both demonstrated they have a lot of work to do if they're going to be as successful as the pair of Ferguson and David Gill.