Manchester United transfer news: Fellaini or Modric?

With Manchester United’s pursuit of Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas apparently heading for the buffers, David Moyes has two other possibilities as he tries to bring much-needed creativity to the United midfield.

But who would be a better fit: Everton’s powerful Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, or the diminutive Croatian playmaker Luka Modric?

Marouane Fellaini

Date of birth: November 22, 1987Place of birth: Etterbeek, BegliumNationality: BelgianHeight: 1.94mPosition: MidfielderCurrent club: EvertonFormer clubs: Anderlecht, Mons, R Francs Borains, Sporting Charleroi, Standard LiegeCaps: 42Value: Around £25m

Everton paid a club record fee of 12 million pounds to sign Fellaini back in 2008, beating clubs like Tottenham and Aton Villa. He scored 11 goals in 84 appearances for former club, and champions of Beligium, Standard Liege. Fellaini has a buyout clause in his contract, which Arsenal have reportedly triggered earlier this summer. But the player is holding out for a bigger club rather than Arsenal.

Fellaini is a strong physical presence. He would bring an attacking threat from midfield, but can also play quite effectively as a roaming forward. David Moyes knows Fellaini very well, and Fellaini previously stated that he will go to a club where the manager really wants him. His strong relationship with David Moyes could be a deciding factor.

Luka Modric

Date of birth: September 9, 1985Place of birth: Zadar, YugoslaviaNationality: CroatianHeight: 1.75mPosition: MidfielderCurrent club: Real MadridFormer clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Zrinjski, Inter Zapresic, Tottenham Hotspur,Caps: 67Value: £25-30m

Luka Modric is no stranger to Manchester United. He’s been continuously linked with a move to Old Trafford for the past three seasons. But this time, the move seems more realistic, largely due to the fact that he’s encountered a disastrous first season at Real Madrid. He was used sparingly by former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, and failed to show his brilliance that convinced Real Madrid to pay 30 million pounds.

Modric is quick in possession and tracking back and can open defences with a pass. He’s almost a like-for-like replacement for the retired Paul Scholes, but with added pace, and without the trademark Scholes tackle. He has an eye for goal, as he proved against Manchester United in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti is a known admirer of the player and would be reluctant to sell him to United without seeing what he can do at Real Madrid. But Real Madrid seem well stocked at central midfield with Xabi alonso, Sami Khedira, Asier Illaramendi and Luka Modric himself. That’s four players fighting for two spots in the starting 11. Thus, opening the door for a move to Old Trafford.

All stats and info taken from Squawka.com