Manchester United manager David Moyes managed to sign one of his former players after all after completing a deal to bring in Marouane Fellaini from Everton late on transfer deadline day.
United were thought to be concentrating on bringing in Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao, but while that deal collapsed, Moyes quickly moved for Fellaini in a deal worth £27.5 million ($42.7 million).
The transfer fee paid is £4 million ($6.2 million) more than Fellaini's buyout clause, which expired at the end of July.
"I have worked with Marouane for five years and I'm delighted he has decided to join Manchester United," Moyes told the club's official website. "He is a player with great ability and strength and I think he will make a real difference to our squad.
"He has the ability to score goals and play in several different positions in the midfield. I think that's an area where everybody felt we could do with strengthening.
"He'll give us different options in different games in terms of where we can use him. He's still young and improving. For me, he's been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the last few seasons.
"If he can join a club like Manchester United and continue to improve hopefully we'll have a real good player on our hands."
One wonders why Moyes did not make an early move for Fellaini, if he thought the Belgian international was one of the "best midfielders in the Premier League."
The new United manager has been under tremendous pressure to bring in new faces and while Herrera was a bit of an unknown, fans would have been pleased to see another new signing other than Fellaini.
"I am thrilled to sign for Manchester United," Fellaini, who reportedly handed in a transfer request to force through the signing, said. "I have known the manager for many years now and I have a lot of respect for his way of working.
"When I was given the opportunity to work with him again, I jumped at the chance. I had a fantastic time at Everton and I'd like to thank all the fans and staff there for everything they have done for me.
"But being a Manchester United player is something that every player dreams of and I believe that I can make a real contribution to the team's efforts to win trophies in the future."
