6 Reasons Why Cesc Fàbregas Won’t Join Manchester United

With reports linking Cesc Fabregas with a sensational move to Manchester United this summer, Barrie’s View gives us 6 reasons why he doesn’t think the deal will happen.

Wayne Rooney to Chelsea?  Juan Mata to Manchester United?  Some interesting transfer rumours have cropped up over the past couple of days.  One that has been circulating for a while now is that of Cesc Fàbregas continually being linked with a move to Manchester United.

Regardless of the bid David Moyes’ side is making, I refuse to believe that the Spanish international will be making a move to Old Trafford this summer.

Manchester United have missed out on some big names in recent transfer windows – linked with the likes of Luka Modrić, Eden Hazard and Wesley Sneijder.  At the end of this window, I’m confident you’ll be able to add Fàbregas to the list of playmakers Manchester United have missed out on.

Here are 6 reasons that I believe rule out Fàbregas ditching Barcelona for Manchester:

1. Important role at Barcelona

Last season, only goalkeeper Víctor Valdés (31) made more starts than Cesc Fàbregas (30) in La Liga.  Over the past two seasons since re-joining Barcelona from Arsenal, only four outfield players have made more league appearances for the side than Fàbregas.  They are Lionel Messi, Dani Alves, Sergio Busquets and Xavi.

And during that same period, only Messi (96) has scored more league goals for Barcelona than Fàbregas (20).

Cesc Fàbregas’ versatility has allowed him to play both the central midfield roles often occupied by Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, as well as be the backup for Lionel Messi when the four-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner has been injured or rested.

Now why would he want to give up all that to play for Manchester United?

2. He worked hard getting the move back to Barcelona

It had been obvious for a long time that Cesc Fàbregas wanted to leave the Emirates Stadium and head back to Barcelona before he finally got the move in the summer of 2011.

He made an emotional press conference upon his arrival, and prior to that had been snapped holidaying with his friends and now team mates at Barcelona.

What connections does Cesc Fàbregas have at Manchester United?  David Moyes?  No.  Sir Alex Ferguson?  He threw a pizza at him once.  Barcelona has been Fàbregas’ home for some time.  He’s living the dream – playing for and winning with his home club.

Why squander that by playing abroad?

3. Barcelona on a winning run

After winning just the Community Shield and FA Cup during his time at Arsenal, over the past two seasons since returning to Barcelona, Cesc Fàbregas has won the following:

• La Liga (2012-13)
• Copa del Rey (2011-12)
• Supercopa de España (2011)
• UEFA Super Cup (2011)
• FIFA Club World Cup (2011)

During that same two-year period, Manchester United have won the following:

• Premier League (2012-13)
• Community Shield (2011)

Perhaps not much in it, but still, he’s won more trophies than Manchester United during this time.  And now if we look back over the past five seasons:

Barcelona:

• La Liga x4 (2008-09, 20090-10, 2010-11, 2012-13)
• Copa de Rey x2 (2008-09, 2011-12)
• Supercopa de España x3 (2009, 2010, 2011)
• UEFA Champions League x2 (2008-09, 2010-11)
• UEFA Super Cup x2 (2009, 2011)
• FIFA Club World Cup x2 (2009, 2011)

Manchester United:

• Premier League x3 (2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13)
• League Cup x2 (2008-09, 2009-10)
• Community Shield x2 (2010, 2011)

Barcelona trophies (excluding Supercopa de España): 12

Manchester United trophies (excluding Community Shield): 5

On top of that it’s about the potential of winning trophies.  With the addition of Neymar to their squad, many fancy Barcelona to retain their La Liga crown this season and be serious contenders once again for the Champions League.  They are 3.8 second favourites with Betfair to win Europe’s elite prize this season, and 1.64 favourites to defend La Liga.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have changed manager.  The legendary Sir Alex Ferguson has retired and in his place is David Moyes.  Moyes has never won a trophy as a manger, and only once finished in the top four of the Premier League.  On top of that, Chelsea have reappointed José Mourinho who has twice won the Premier League previously, and other title rivals Manchester City are spending big again this summer.  United have fallen from second favourites a couple of weeks ago with the bookmakers, to third favourites at 2.58 to win the Premier League now.  They are 15.0 sixth favourites to win the Champions League.

Of course, odds mean nothing right?  Bayern Munich weren’t favourites for the Champions League last season.  Nor were Chelsea the season before.  But they are a good indicator.  And if the people and the bookmakers think Barcelona are a stronger team than Manchester United, I’d like to think the player thinks the same.

4. Has told Tito Villanova he is happy at Camp Nou

On Wednesday, Tito Vilanova admitted that he had received offers for his players, hinting that Cesc Fàbregas was one of those.  More importantly, he also said that his playmaker had told him in person that he wanted to stay at Camp Nou:

“It’s normal to receive offers for our players from other teams. We have very good players, and we have to be very happy to have Cesc with us.

“I am conscious that he has received offers for other teams, but I had a conversation with him and he let me know that we wanted to stay here, and his dream is to be successful here.

“So he is not thinking about any other club, not even for money or for minutes, even if he knows all the competition he has here with Xavi, Iniesta and also this year against Sergi and Roberto, but he told me that his dream is to be here. I’m not worried at all.”

In June, Cesc Fàbregas said he was happy and wanted to stay at Barcelona:

“I’ve always said that I’m happy at Barca. Whoever says that I’m leaving doesn’t know me and has never spoken with me,” he said.

“Nor with my agent, because he knows that I don’t want him to talk with other people about me. I’m very private and I don’t even talk about these things with my family.

“If someone says anything that isn’t that I want to play at Barca, it’s completely absurd.”

5. Just sold Thiago Alcântara

Manchester United recently missed out on another Barcelona player as Thiago Alcântara left Camp Nou for Champions League holders Bayern Munich.

The younger Spanish international played a similar, creative role to Fàbregas in midfield.  Over the past two seasons, Thiago had made 54 La Liga appearances, including 35 starts for Barcelona.  Essentially, they’ve sold quite a significant part of their midfield.

With Thiago’s space to fill, it would be a crazy decision to sell another midfielder, one who plays more regularly in the team too.

 6. Arsenal are his only English team

It was only two years ago that Cesc Fàbregas said the following:

“If someday I leave Arsenal it will never be to sign for another English team. I’m very sure”

Shortly after he left for Barcelona.  Sure, “never say never in football” I can agree with, but I don’t expect Fàbregas to be going against his own word just two years after saying that Arsenal would be the only English club he played for.

There is also the fact that Arsenal have first refusal to re-sign the player to consider. Arsene Wenger confirmed the Gunners have a buy-back clause yesterday, so if Fabregas does for some reason decide to leave Catalonia, a return to north London is surely more likely than him heading to Old Trafford?

If Manchester United are looking for a creative midfielder this summer, after missing out on Thiago Alcântara, I believe they will need to search elsewhere than Camp Nou, because Cesc Fàbregas won’t be leaving anytime soon.

Thanks for reading, you can following me on Twitter: @BarriesView

Do you think United have any chance of signing Fabregas? Share your views in the comments section below.