Manchester United: Euro exit won't affect signings, says Moyes
- Published
Manchester United manager David Moyes says his transfer targets will not be affected by the prospect of no Champions League football next season.
The Premier League title holders lost 3-1 to Bayern Munich in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg for a 4-2 aggregate defeat.
It means United, seventh in the Premier League, are unlikely to be in Europe's elite club competition in 2014-15.
Moyes said potential arrivals know any absence is "not a long-term thing".
"Any players we've quietly discussed it with are more than happy to join Manchester United," he insisted.
"The club have never had any problems. We're looking to spend the right money on players who are available and it's not anything to do with the Champions League."
For almost an hour against Bayern on Wednesday United were largely untroubled and their chances of progressing looked promising when Patrice Evra's long-range strike put them ahead.
However, Bayern responded immediately as Mario Mandzukic headed in from close range and they then took control, putting the game beyond United with goals from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben.
"It's the sort of thing you learn as a schoolboy - once you score a goal, make sure you don't concede," Moyes added.
"You get into position and do your job. We had concentrated so fabulously well throughout the game, for us just to give it up on that moment was really disappointing."
Moyes also conceded Wayne Rooney struggled to make a telling impact in the game, with the England international playing after having an injection to ease a toe injury.
"I thought he was having a struggle striking the ball on some occasions," the Scot said.
"But he is so vital a player to us, especially with [Dutch striker] Robin van Persie out injured."
United's Champions League exit continues what has been a disappointing first season as manager of the three-time European champions for Moyes.
They are seventh in the Premier League, 17 points behind leaders Liverpool and seven points behind Arsenal in the final Champions League place with five games remaining, but Moyes's focus now is on rebuilding, with a quick return to the Champions League his priority.
"We've not got Champions League football but I believe it's not far away and hopefully it's only one year," he added.
"We've got to rebuild and our focus now is getting a team together to get back in this competition because it's a really good competition and we've really enjoyed it."
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