Manchester United’s drawn out pursuit of Cesc Fabregas continues, and it’s slowly but surely turning into a comic sketch as they look to land the Barcelona midfielder.

The first rule of transfer club is you don’t talk about transfer club, and with David Moyes making it public knowledge that the Red Devils are in the hunt for Fabregas, has the former Everton manager committed his first mistake as United boss?

You can let everyone speculate as much as they want about possible transfers between the world’s biggest clubs, it’s part and parcel of being such a global force as United are. You will be linked with every top class player who may be on his way out of his current club, but it’s risky business when you confirm you are vying for their signature.

United may well land Fabregas, and every Reds fan will forget the ongoing saga rather quickly, but if they don’t get their man, the jury will be out on Moyes before his side have even kicked a competitive football this season.

How far are United willing to go to secure the capture of the former Arsenal midfielder? Talking to the press about it all is playing into Barcelona’s hands, they will keep upping the price tag now that they know their man is on the radar of the English champions.

Other clubs have gone about their business quietly, with the likes of rivals Manchester City signing two or three quality players. However, many may look at the £30 million they paid for Fernandinho for example, and feel Fabregas is worth holding out for, for a similar fee.

There is no question United fans are growing more and more frustrated at the lack of activity in the transfer market at Old Trafford so far, but if Moyes does indeed bring Fabregas to the Theatre of Dreams, the Spanish international could well be the missing cog that the Reds are after.

Hurry along Mr Moyes, time is ticking.

Sean Monaghan