Man Utd targets: Fabregas the pick over Fellaini at the prices

Manchester United continue to be linked with moves for either or both Cesc Fabregas and Marouane Fellaini as David Moyes looks to revamp a midfield that has long looked an area of potential improvement for the club. The pair could work well together at Old Trafford, but if it comes down to a choice the former looks the pick at the prices.

United have tabled a £25m offer for Fabregas – roughly what Barcelona paid Arsenal for his services in 2011 – but it’s thought that they could acquire the Belgian for £23m, thanks to a release clause that expires in mid August.

The Mirror report Moyes’ interest in his former Everton Lieutenant in terms of a back-up should a deal for Fabregas fail to bear fruit, however The Guardian see the situation differently, suggesting the Scotsman has identified the need for two midfield additions.

Both men boast a wealth of experience in running Premier League midfields, with Fabregas outstripping Fellaini – who is a year younger – by two seasons, thanks to his seven full campaigns at Arsenal.

An ability to contribute to the goals-for column is thought to be a key requirement for Moyes and in this respect Fabregas – 5/4 to be a United player at the end of the transfer window – is again the more proven practitioner, managing 17 goals in all competitions across each of his last two seasons and posting a 23-goal haul whilst at Arsenal in 2009/10.

Fellaini – whom Arsenal are 11/8 favourites to sign before the window closes – has yet to produce on quite the same level, but has twice managed to reach double figures in a season, despite playing for sides – in Everton and Belgium – that were not guaranteed the same degree of superiority over their opponents.

Of the pair the value seems to lie with the Spaniard, who has the added bonus of having proven himself at Champions League level for two clubs to the Everton ace’s none.

Should it be case of signing one or the other for a similar plan Fabregas is Moyes’ man, but equally the pair could work together well in a new look midfield in a variety of ways.

Both could play close to the deep-lying Michael Carrick, with Fabregas influencing the play or Fellaini’s 6’4” frame offering more visceral assistance to the United pivote.

Furthermore, either man could operate as the most attacking member of the Red Devils’ central band, where the Barca man’s passing range or the Belgian’s ability to win high balls or drive into space would create a plethora of opportunity for United attackers.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.