"The manager was asked to elaborate on the fact that he and key members of his staff have been out watching games across the globe this week. It led to speculation in the press that targets were identified for possible bids in January but Moyes has explained why he is already thinking ahead to the summer"

"Well, I’m a football nut anyway," the boss replied, when asked about clocking up the air miles. "I watch football all the time. Obviously, I’m going to look to see what is out there and also see what teams are doing.
"It’s given us all a chance and the staff have been out and about. But January is a difficult month to bring people in, as I have said many times. All the work has really been done prior to January. "A lot of the work we are doing now is for the summer, what we are going to do in the summer and what we’re getting ready for. But, if we can do any business now, we’ll certainly try to do it. That’s no question. I’m sure all the supporters, those who really watch and understand the level of player we’re looking for, will know a lot of them might not be available until the summertime."

Source: http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Jan/david-moyes-already-planning-for-summer-recruitment.aspx

**My opinion: It's convincing enough that we won't bring anyone this January. It's been a United tradition, but honestly, seeing how things are going with us right now, this is irritating news to hear. This will mean that we will be at a greater risk of hoping to finish in the top 4 this second half of the season, and our summer transfers better go well, because Moyes is certainly testing our patience here. My god...

I fear that our future summer transfer will turn into another disaster like last time. Only time will tell, but IF the summer transfer doesn't go well, then my patience with Moyes will run out.**

It amazes me how Moyes does not realize a simple thing: if you don't make the top 4 this season, you will not be playing Champions League football and no top class player (or even talented and promising youngsters for that matter) will be entertaining offers from you in the summer if that's the case.

I've pretty much lost hope for anything this season and now Moyes looks certain to have a worse second season with all other teams getting stronger and stronger. Seeing that the confidence of United players is low, a mid-season signing will definitely do some good, despite what Moyes thinks and despite it being a so-called United tradition.

My patience is also wearing thin with every passing game. The ongoing Rooney saga isn't helping either.

don't worry, we can attract world class players for sure. Not in January I think.. If that players don't won't to play for one of the biggest teams in the world there is another reason : United gives incredible fees to players . lol and one more thing , with bad result as those so far, Glazers losing millions and millions every month,so.... we ll see. We have to spend 150 millions to compete! Anyway,I will be gutted if we fail to reach UCL spot.

We're going to get UCL spot regardless of whether we can bring in a player this January transfer window or not. I stand by my words.
And I am 100 % sure we can bring in at least 1 or 2 WORLD CLASS players in this summer transfer window. Keep your heads up high guys.

Whether Champions League or not, my advise to Man Utd fans is to stick with Moyes because it may be beneficial in the long run.

Otherwise the club could become yet another team with a Billionaire owner, goes on a spending spree and sacks managers every 2 seasons.

No Champions League football next season = No Rooney or RVP into 2014-15 season. They won't want to play for a miid-table/Europa League team. They want to win.

@man_utd, i wouldn't be so confident if I were you. Not to offend any
Man UTD fans but they will be incredible lucky to make it to top 4.
Liverpool will have to drop a lot of points and I really can't see that with Suarez in Liverpool. Unless he bites another player, I can't see liverpool not making into top 4. Moyes can prove me wrong but the likeliness of top 4 is pretty small. Every game for Man utd is like a champions league final for them. I
can't guarantee man utd winning every game.

Still, nothing is impossible, so lets see how far man utd goes.

@Heavenduel

LOL, "unless he bites another player, I can't see Liverpool not making into top 4".

@ dynastian

rvp stayed with arsenal for 8 trophy-less seasons, and with his first season in united shirt he won the EPL and the comunity shield, do you think he will just easily go for one rubbish season.

rooney has been winning trophies and cups in the last 10 years and is considered one of the world best due to his career with united, do you think again he will just leave for this rubbish season.

and since when we were a mid-table team, the last time we finished outside the top 4 positions were in 1991.
currently we are in the 7th place, but the season hasn't finished yet, we can easily reach the 4th position.

@Enjoyneer_RED

Van persie will probably stay because he is getting older now and most teams probably won't spend a huge sum to buy him.

"rooney has been winning trophies and cups in the last 10 years and is
considered one of the world best due to his career with united, do you
think again he will just leave for this rubbish season."

I don't know if you knew but Rooney almost left last season.... I don't think he'll want to play in a team with no champions league football (IF man utd doesn't make it to top 4). Especially when Chelsea is interested in him as Chelsea doesn't have a striker of his class.

Im sure they will try to sign someone, its good for Manchester United to say that they are not obliged to sign someone, in term of negotiations, if they have said that they must sign someone, the price of all players will increase....

except mata

HAHAHA That was negotiations..... But still 37m £ is very bad negotiationg, but they were obliged due to all pressure of fans.