Could United pull off a move for Barcelona ace?

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is being linked with a move to Manchester United in January

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United boss David Moyes is looking at making a sensational move for Barcelona and Spain star Andres Iniesta.

The United boss believes that there is a rift between Iniesta and the Catalan giant’s hierarchy.

Unsettled

The midfielder is believed to be unsettled at the Nou Camp after talks over a contract renewal stalled.

The Spain internationals contract expires in 2015, but it is believed Iniesta wanted to extend his stay at the Catalan club for longer.

January

Manchester United are still lacking creativity in midfielder and it seems that David Moyes believes that he could have a realistic chance of tempting the World Cup winner to Old Trafford in January. Iniesta would be one of the most high-profile signings in the history of the Premier League.

Moyes looks set to be given funds to spend in the January transfer window to strengthen his squad. A creative midfielder will most likely be top of Moyes’ shopping list, after the Scot failed to bring in Athletic Bilbao attacking midfielder Ander Herrera on transfer deadline day.

Doubts

There have been major doubts about Manchester United this season. The retirement of legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson was one of the major reasons there were so many doubts over the Red Devils chances of success this season.

The reigning champion’s poor start to the campaign has not exactly helped to convince the fans that David Moyes is the right man for the job. United’s form has picked-up in recent months and it seems the Red Devils are back in the Premier League title race.

Perception

Arsenal signing playmaker Mesut Ozil has changed the perception of the Gunners team and chances of success this season. United signing Andres Iniesta would have a similar effect on United, but the difference is Iniesta is a far more successful player.

United do not need the rise in profile. However, signing Iniesta would change the perception of David Moyes. If the Scot signed such a high-profile figure then maybe he would be taken more seriously as a top-tier boss.

Difficult

Signing Andres Iniesta will not be easy. The talk of Iniesta being unsettled at Barcelona, may just talk. He could very well soon sign a new contract with Barcelona. Iniesta would need to be persuaded to move away from the Nou Camp, as the midfielder has only ever played for Barcelona.

Then David Moyes and the United hierarchy would have to persuade Iniesta to move to Old Trafford. If Iniesta did move then it would likely to be his last big move and I think he would have to be persuaded that stories of United’s demise are premature.

Iniesta is believed to have an admiration for the English game and history of the game in England. If Iniesta became available then no doubt more than one English club would be interested in signing the midfielder, not just United.

Competition

If Andres Iniesta did become available, that is a big if, then there will be a queue of major clubs willing to spend big money on the midfielder, despite the Spanish international being 29 years-old. United are unlikely to be the only club to be looking at buying the little midfield maestro.

Winner

Iniesta has won literally every piece of silverware that the game has to offer, at both international and club level. In the 2010 World Cup, the midfielder even scored the winning goal against Holland in the final.

He is the sort of player that every team needs, a player that has the experience of being very successful in the game, a real winner. Iniesta would be a great player for United to have in their midfield, even if it is only for a few years. His presence in the United squad would help United’s younger players develop and learn.

Unlikely

Manchester United signing Andres Iniesta would be a major coup for United and David Moyes. Unfortunately I do not see this deal happening for the reigning champions. There just seems to be too many barriers to United signing the little midfield maestro.

Could Manchester United really sign Andres Iniesta?