OK, so this one is a no-brainer.
Many fans were surprised when the many rumours like this one came to nought in the summer. Maybe it was because Sir Alex expected more money from the Berbatov sale, or that Nani and/or Anderson would be sold. The article implies that Moyes didn't need to sell anyone else.
Baines himself seems to have been surprised there was no follow through. He does, however, still covet Champions League football, so it would not be a surprise if he moved to United.
Whether it is in January may well depend on whether Moyes sees the need for additional squad strength.
No fan is seriously going to question the logic of signing the Everton and England left back. Maybe one or two would wonder where Alexander Buttner fits in?
Sir Alex was always going to send Fabio out on loan to get Premier League experience and, following the preseason it looked like there wasn't a ready made cover for Evra who could step up. Although Zeki Fryers appeared to be the most likely, he left. Or was he allowed to go...?
Sir Alex likes competition and left backs are always in demand. Buttner hasn't yet made an unstoppable argument but if Sir Alex did buy Baines, he could let Evra go. This has been mooted as a possible part-exchange for Baines. He wouldn't be the first or the last player to be taken on by Ferguson's mate Moyes.
The case for Baines is unarguable. After all, he is the best in Europe at doing what Evra has done for years.
This is what United fans would wish they were seeing this weekend.
If Vincent Kompany was the best defender in Europe last season, Hummels came close.
While the logic might have dictated that Neven Subotic was more likely, mainly because of his age and Serbian nationality, Hummels right now is surely the best in Europe or maybe even the world.
United's defence is in shreds at the moment and if they defend against City the way they did against Reading, it could be a repeat of last season's 6-1 drubbing. As that match showed, no amount of cavalier attacking could save United from themselves.
Of course Vidic's return, if it happens, could be the boost the Red Devils' need. Despite the age and experience in United's first choice team, it is frankly leadership that is missing right now.
Whether or not Nemanja returns as good as he used to be, nobody would argue against Hummels improving the quality, strength and composure of the United defence.
Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand seem past their sell-by date. Along with Leighton Baines, a central defender of Hummels' standing would satisfy even the most demanding of United fans.
And if Dortmund don't want to let him go, his sidekick Subotic would be a useful alternative.
Possibly by now Wesley is crying himself to sleep at not having
jumped at Sir Alex's pregnant interest over the last few seasons?
Maybe the attached article by respected sports journalist Martin Samuels was true? In which case, is Sneijder now bitterly regretting his apparent snub?
Inter are demanding that he takes a pay cut for reasons of the club's economy. The attached Mirror article, hot off the presses implies that he may be on the move. So why not United?
He may be 28, but van Persie is 29 and Sneijder's Dutch compatriot may already have given him the nod about how good life is at Old Trafford.
Wesley Sneijder has been the name on so many callers' lips on MUTV phone-ons for the last couple of years that you can bet your life this one signing alone would be enough to satisfy their hunger.
There is a need in midfield for a dominant player like Scholes used to be. Sneijder would revel in a box to box role, but he is also versatile enough to fit in with Fergie's dynamic interplay.
After all, he is Dutch and they were pioneers of "total football".
If Vincent Kompany was the best defender in Europe last season, Hummels came close.
While the logic might have dictated that Neven Subotic was more likely, mainly because of his age and Serbian nationality, Hummels right now is surely the best in Europe or maybe even the world.
United's defence is in shreds at the moment and if they defend against City the way they did against Reading, it could be a repeat of last season's 6-1 drubbing. As that match showed, no amount of cavalier attacking could save United from themselves.
Of course Vidic's return, if it happens, could be the boost the Red Devils' need. Despite the age and experience in United's first choice team, it is frankly leadership that is missing right now.
Whether or not Nemanja returns as good as he used to be, nobody would argue against Hummels improving the quality, strength and composure of the United defence.
Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand seem past their sell-by date. Along with Leighton Baines, a central defender of Hummels' standing would satisfy even the most demanding of United fans.
And if Dortmund don't want to let him go, his sidekick Subotic would be a useful alternative.
Maybe the attached article by respected sports journalist Martin Samuels was true? In which case, is Sneijder now bitterly regretting his apparent snub?
Inter are demanding that he takes a pay cut for reasons of the club's economy. The attached Mirror article, hot off the presses implies that he may be on the move. So why not United?
He may be 28, but van Persie is 29 and Sneijder's Dutch compatriot may already have given him the nod about how good life is at Old Trafford.
Wesley Sneijder has been the name on so many callers' lips on MUTV phone-ons for the last couple of years that you can bet your life this one signing alone would be enough to satisfy their hunger.
There is a need in midfield for a dominant player like Scholes used to be. Sneijder would revel in a box to box role, but he is also versatile enough to fit in with Fergie's dynamic interplay.
After all, he is Dutch and they were pioneers of "total football".
This guy's name just won't go away. Not surprising really
because half the problems in defence for United this season have started
in midfield.
Michael Carrick has been an outstanding servant of the club and has been played out of his favourite position for far too long. He has almost become the John O'Shea of the present generation.
And Darren Fletcher may never full;y regain the human dynamo capability that he had before he got ill.
United don't play defensive football, but that doesn't mean they couldn't use a midfield destroyer in the Roy Keane mold. Strootman is a pretty useful box to box midfielder. He is the right age and apparently United covet him.
The thing is that he doesn't want to move until the summer. And his possible alternate, Victor Wanyama, surely won't want to walk away from Celtic if they qualify for the Group stage of the Champions League.
So either way, this one may have to wait until June.
Oh how United fans would love this one. And how many would bat an eyelid if Nani had to be sold to finance the deal.
Many see Rodriguez as a better long-term prospect anyhow. He is only 20 and already has stunning stats for Porto this season.
He has apparently previously indicated an interest in United, who may once again have slipped up in the summer because Porto tied up a new contract and a higher release clause.
While the idea of Nani going in part-exchange might appeal, Porto would not pay his current wage demand.
United have made clear that they won't either. Nani has managed to alienate both the fans and his manager with indifferent, ill-judged and even plain stupid performances recently. He may not be happy, but some of his play has bordered on the unprofessional.
As for an obvious buyer, both PSG and Zenit still have work to do to create the finished product. Whatever else people may say, Nani at his best can open up any defence like a can of soup.
And if Porto price Rodriguez out of the market, don't rule out a United move for Paul Ince's son Thomas instead. While Rodriguez is lighting up the goals and assists stats in the Portuguese League, young Tom is doing much the same for Blackpool in the Championship.
Michael Carrick has been an outstanding servant of the club and has been played out of his favourite position for far too long. He has almost become the John O'Shea of the present generation.
And Darren Fletcher may never full;y regain the human dynamo capability that he had before he got ill.
United don't play defensive football, but that doesn't mean they couldn't use a midfield destroyer in the Roy Keane mold. Strootman is a pretty useful box to box midfielder. He is the right age and apparently United covet him.
The thing is that he doesn't want to move until the summer. And his possible alternate, Victor Wanyama, surely won't want to walk away from Celtic if they qualify for the Group stage of the Champions League.
So either way, this one may have to wait until June.
Many see Rodriguez as a better long-term prospect anyhow. He is only 20 and already has stunning stats for Porto this season.
He has apparently previously indicated an interest in United, who may once again have slipped up in the summer because Porto tied up a new contract and a higher release clause.
While the idea of Nani going in part-exchange might appeal, Porto would not pay his current wage demand.
United have made clear that they won't either. Nani has managed to alienate both the fans and his manager with indifferent, ill-judged and even plain stupid performances recently. He may not be happy, but some of his play has bordered on the unprofessional.
As for an obvious buyer, both PSG and Zenit still have work to do to create the finished product. Whatever else people may say, Nani at his best can open up any defence like a can of soup.
And if Porto price Rodriguez out of the market, don't rule out a United move for Paul Ince's son Thomas instead. While Rodriguez is lighting up the goals and assists stats in the Portuguese League, young Tom is doing much the same for Blackpool in the Championship.
