David Moyes defended Manchester United’s handling of the summer transfer window yesterday, saying the champions left it late to sign Marouane Fellaini from Everton because they were desperate to also sign Leighton Baines from the Merseyside club.

Red Devils boss Moyes and his club’s board came in for widespread criticism for their failure to add greater quality this summer, but Moyes was bullish when questioned over his conduct.

Asked why United waited so long to sign Fellaini, who joined for £27.5 million despite the player having a release clause of £23.5m in his Everton deal until July 31, Moyes responded: “We didn’t want to give up on Baines so we kept the deals together and only split it (for Fellaini) at the last minute.”