Ask any manager in the world of football if they'd fancy Cesc Fabregas or Toni Kroos in their midfield. You'd be hard pressed to find someone belligerent enough to pass up such an opportunity.
Unless, of course, you were searching in Manchester.
According to the Telegraph, both midfielders were on a list of Manchester United's summer targets in 2014. The list, compiled by vice-chairman Ed Woodard, also included Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera and was shown to newly appointed manager Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal approved Herrera, but vetoed his Spanish and German counterparts. Herrera transferred to United for £28.8 million. Fabregas (£24.7) and Kroos (£24 million) moved to Chelsea and Real Madrid, respectively.
Fast forward five months.
Herrera is struggling to assert himself in an over-achieving United side, while Fabregas and Kroos are key cogs at a pair of clubs leading their domestic competitions. One could defend van Gaal's decision—claiming a realistic approach to the summer transfer window—but that can be readily dismissed with the acquisitions of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.
Not six week ago, Herrera lauded his opportunities at training sessions under van Gaal.
"I enjoy the sessions the day before a game because we work on ball possession, shooting and set-plays," said the Basque (via Metro). "It's a good day. All the mini matches are important because the coaches are always looking at us before each game."
"We have a very competitive squad," he added. "We always want to win in matches, or training. I think this is the right tactic because you play like you train."
Unfortunately for Herrera, it's been more training and less playing. The 25-year-old has just six starts and 655 minutes of play in the Premier League.
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