Manchester United's Move for David Luiz Doesn't Make Sense

There are some transfer stories that make perfect sense.

Manchester United's pursuit of Cesc Fabregas is one, and their interest in Marouane Fellaini another.

David Moyes is short in midfield with just Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley and Anderson to call on.

Carrick and Cleverley have done well in the opening weeks of the season, but an injury, especially to Carrick, would leave United's prospects of success this season looking very different.

Fabregas would improve United's midfield, so would Fellaini. And while it's easy to see why Moyes would be interested, it's more difficult to make sense of a move for David Luiz.

The Brazilian can play as a holding midfielder, and did so on occasion during the final months of Rafael Benitez's reign at Chelsea.

But he's more often been used as a centre-half, a position in which United have a wealth of options.

There aren't many clubs in the world, nevermind the Premier League, who can boast the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

Not to mention youngsters Michael Keane and Tom Thorpe, both of whom were included in Gareth Southgate's first England under-21 squad this week.

It's not clear yet where Jose Mourinho sees Luiz playing at Chelsea. Injury has ruled him out of the first three games and, in his absence, the pairing of John Terry and Gary Cahill have conceded just once in four-and-a-half hours of football.

Luiz is a fine footballer, speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona is evidence of that, but it's difficult to see where he fits in at United.

There was genuine excitement among some supporters when a swap deal for Wayne Rooney was mooted with Luiz and Juan Mata moving to Old Trafford.

But as good as Luiz is, the delight was more about the possibility of seeing Mata in red. It's also hard to see Mourinho sending Luiz off to United with a smile on his face given Moyes' stance over Rooney.

Moyes is desperately trying to add to his squad before Monday's deadline and the last few days of the transfer window sometimes make managers do odd things. A move for Luiz, when there are other problems to address, would be just that.