THE ARRIVAL OF MATA

EXCLUSIVE: Moyes checks out Bayern midfielder Kroos on Germany scouting trip

David Moyes in Germany for Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayern Munich

Interested in Mario Mandzukic and Monchengladbach's Patrick Herrmann

But Toni Kroos has emerged as target due to contract stand-off

Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stresses desire to keep Germany star

David Moyes was escorted into Borussia Monchengladbach's stadium by Toni Kroos' agent on Friday night after being alerted to a contract stand-off between the Germany midfielder and his Bayern Munich bosses.
Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic and Monchengladbach midfielder Patrick Herrmann were believed to be the two main points of interest for the Manchester United manager when he booked his seat at Borussia Park for the Bundesliga fixture, which the visitors won 2-0.
But while both are under review at Old Trafford, Kroos has dramatically emerged as a viable target after his representative Sascha Breese, from the Sports Total agency, met Moyes and coaches Phil Neville and Steve Round and sat with them at the game.

Hard worker: Manchester United manager David Moyes with Toni Kroos' agent (right) in Germany

At 24 and with a stack of Germany caps to his name, Kroos is a perfect fit for the area of United's team in most urgent need of improvement, and the Germany midfielder could be prised away after stalling over a new deal at the Allianz Arena.
His current deal runs out at the end of next season, and Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted: 'It is always about money in every agreement, and talks have so far failed to lead to a new contract for Toni. We are interested in prolonging his stay with us.'
Bayern would doubtless ask at least £25million for Kroos, but United have illustrated their willingness to spend big by agreeing a £37m fee for Chelsea's Juan Mata.
Bayern are also hoping to open contract talks with Mandzukic, but United will be heartened by news of a fall-out between the free-scoring striker and coach Pep Guardiola. Mandzukic, whose contract runs until 2016, was evidently accused of lacking enthusiasm in training and axed from the squad for Friday night's game.
‘Mandzukic could pack his bags,' said club legend Franz Beckenbauer. 'I see Lewandowski in the attack, his playing style is suited for (Pep) Guardiola's ideas than that of Manduzkic.
‘There are even more reasons why he could leave - even without him, Guardiola could still count on Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze in attack.’

 Raconteur? David Moyes (left) shares a joke with former Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes (centre)

As for the match itself, Muller set up one goal and scored a penalty to help the Bundesliga leaders go 10 points clear as the league resumed after the winter break.
Despite the absence of key players, including the injured Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern picked up where they left off in December to stretch their unbeaten run to 42 consecutive league games.
After a nervous opening spell in which third-placed Gladbach squandered a golden chance, Bayern, who have now won their last nine league games, settled and came close when Gotze's shot scraped the post.
Gotze started in a lone striker role after Mario Mandzukic was dropped from the squad for not having trained well, according to sports director Matthias Sammer.
He soon had better luck when Muller raced down the right wing and cut the ball back for his Germany team mate to drill into the net for the lead after seven minutes.
Gladbach were constantly on the backfoot against a Bayern side who never hit top speed but controlled possession, using defender Philipp Lahm as a holding midfielder while Spaniard Thiago orchestrated the game.
The hosts did come close twice on the stroke of half-time with Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer palming a Kruse shot on to the post and denying Juan Arango from close range.
Muller got on the scoresheet eight minutes after the restart, converting a penalty to condemn Gladbach to their first home defeat of the campaign before the hosts hit the woodwork again through Herrmann.
On Saturday, second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, on 37 points, are in action at lowly Freiburg while Borussia Dortmund, fourth with 32, host mid-table Augsburg. Gladbach are third on 33.

Bye bye, Jose! United agree club record £37m fee for Chelsea star Mata with Spanish playmaker set for medical in next 24 hours

• Man United and Chelsea have agreed a £37million deal for Juan Mata
• Mata to have medical on Thursday before completing the move
• The Spaniard trained away from Chelsea first-team on Wednesday
• Transfer would smash United's previous transfer record - £31.5m for Dimitar Berbatov in 2009
• David Moyes refused to talk about the transfer following United's defeat to Sunderland

Manchester United have agreed a club record £37million fee for Chelsea's Juan Mata to ease the pain of their Capital One Cup KO.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho signed off on the deal following talks with club executives and Mata is expected for a medical in Manchester on Thursday.
United chief executive Ed Woodward agreed to break the club's transfer record for Mata as they attempt to salvage their season.

Wave goodbye: Juan Mata is set to join Manchester United after a £37m fee was agreed with Chelsea

Dejected: Moyes will be hoping the capture of Mata will arrest his new side's slide into mediocrity

Heading north: Mata is expected to complete his switch to the champions before the end of the week

Seven defeats in the Barclays Premier League have left United six points off the pace in the race for fourth place - and Champions League football next season - but Mata's addition will cause a huge stir.
The Spanish playmaker, 25, trained alone in the fitness centre at Cobham on Wednesday as his team-mates prepared for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge against Stoke City.
After the Sunderland defeat at Old Trafford, Moyes refused to talk about the Mata deal.
Mourinho had given his players two days off following their 3-1 victory over United in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

Fans' favourite: Mata was Chelsea's player of the year in successive years before the current season

They returned to training on Wednesday to discover that Mata was ‘90 per cent sure’ that he would be leaving Chelsea, three years after he arrived in a £23.5m deal from Valencia.
He has not played for the club since he was substituted in the 53rd minute of their 3-0 victory at Southampton on New Year’s Day.
Mata was replaced by Oscar when the score was still 0-0 and he ignored Mourinho as he walked off the field at St Mary’s. Mata then kicked a plastic chair in the technical area in frustration and team-mates had to calm him down.
After the game Mourinho claimed the door was open for any player who wanted to leave and Mata was one of them.
He believes he will be given a fresh start at United and it’s a huge statement of intent by the champions after an indifferent first season under new manager David Moyes.
Mata, who was Chelsea’s player of the year for the past two seasons, will sign a lengthy contract at United when he has completed his medical.
United believe they have signed a world class player and he is expected to make his debut for the club against Cardiff on Tuesday.
Providing Mata passes his medical, he will be free to play his first game in front of 76,000 supporters at Old Trafford.

Mata misses Chelsea training with United closing in on deal for £37m Chelsea star

• Mata was absent from Chelsea's training at Cobham on Wednesday
• He is set to become Manchester United's record transfer
• Spaniard hasn't played since being substituted at Southampton on Jan 1
• Moyes hoping to complete £37million deal before this end of this week
• Mourinho understood to have accepted Mata's wish for first-team football

Juan Mata missed Chelsea training on Wednesday as a deal to take him to Manchester United for £37million could be finalised by the end of the week.Jose Mourinho was watching his first team train but Mata was conspicuous by his absence at their Cobham training ground.
Talks regarding the 25-year-old Spain midfielder are so far advanced that Mata is convinced he will have a medical before the weekend.

No sign of Juan Mata: Chelsea players at Cobham training ground on Wednesday

Although United are treating the deal with extreme caution after their failure to land a string of big names last summer, manager David Moyes believes the move is close to being concluded.
Mata is determined to leave Chelsea after becoming frustrated with his failure to impress Jose Mourinho this season.
United, who are six points off fourth place in the Barclays Premier League, are under financial pressure to qualify for the Champions League.
And although the transfer fee is a huge increase on the £23.5m Chelsea paid Valencia in 2011, Moyes is keen to land a big signing in the transfer window.

Mata is determined to push through the move and Mourinho is understood to have accepted that he wants to leave in search of first-team football.
The midfielder has concerns about his inclusion in Spain’s World Cup squad this summer if he is not playing regularly for his club side and Moyes will give him that opportunity as he starts building a team for the future.
United are treading carefully only because Moyes and his chief executive Ed Woodward failed to sign the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas during the summer.

But this time they have been given all the encouragement they need that Mata wants to leave Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Player of the Year for the past two seasons has not featured in the club’s last three games. After he stormed off at Southampton on New Year’s Day, Mourinho admitted he would listen to offers, prompting United to make their move.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2543542/Juan-Mata-misses-Chelsea-training-United-closing-deal-37m-Chelsea-star.html#ixzz2r8V3gByw
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