Manchester United have held talks with Barcelona over midfielder Cesc Fabregas. United chiefs have backed him by making initial contact with Barca to set the wheels of a deal in motion, according to ESPN.

With Paul Scholes retiring and Anderson primed for the exit door, new manager David Moyes knows he needs to bring in at least one high-quality signing.

Fabregas played 42 games for the Catalan giants and helped them win La Liga - but he's often played further forward than he's used to with Xavi and Andres Iniesta mainstays in the Barcelona midfield.