By Ian Ladyman
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Manchester United's relentless pursuit of Cesc Fabregas will continue into next week, despite Barcelona's insistence that the midfielder is not for sale.
As Sportsmail revealed, Fabregas is keen on a move to Old Trafford and wants to be part of David Moyes's Barclays Premier League squad by the time the summer transfer window closes on September 2.
New Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino on Friday reiterated his club's recent assertions that Fabregas will not be sold. The new coach at the Nou Camp said: 'Man United want Cesc? If the club rejected two offers, I will reject it a third time. Cesc will be here.'
Keen: Cesc Fabregas wants to sign for Manchester United before the transfer deadline closes in September
Told about Martino's comments minutes after United's 2-2 draw with Cerezo Osaka here on Friday, United manager Moyes said: 'We will look at what's been said and we will consider what to do. We will consider our options.'
However, it is understood that United, who have had bids of 25million and 31m turned down, have no intention of giving up on the transfer.
Fabregas is United's main target and the Barclays Premier League champions are aware that he fancies a crack at the title with them.
The next seven days will make or break the deal for United, who know that Barcelona do not want to lose face by saying that Fabregas can leave, which means that the 26-year-old Spain midfielder may have to request a transfer. United do not know if he is prepared to do that.
Refusal: New Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino insists Fabregas will not be sold
They travel to Hong Kong today for their final tour game, still optimistic that they can pull off the transfer coup of the summer but some fans at home are growing concerned about the lack of transfer activity, especially given that the start of the Premier League season is just four weeks away.
That sense of unease has not been helped by some modest pre-season results. Only Wilfried Zaha's injury-time equaliser against Cerezo Osaka saved United from their third defeat in four games yesterday but Moyes was happy with the performance on a night when heat and humidity was so high defender Rio Ferdinand revealed he lost more than 8lb during the game.
Moyes said: 'I am very happy actually. I thought we played well.
'I thought it was our best performance since we have been on tour.'
Happy: David Moyes was pleased with United's performance against Cerezo Osaka
United fell behind after a mistake from Chris Smalling in the first half yesterday and equalised early in the second period when local hero Shinji Kagawa atoned for a missed penalty by scoring from a Ryan Giggs cross.
Moyes's team subsequently went 2-1 down before Zaha side-footed in the equaliser.
'Zaha has done well,' said Moyes. 'He has played well in the games. He has been quiet off the pitch, as he is still getting to know everybody. But he has had an impact in games and we are trying to bring him along nicely.
'Tonight will help him as he showed the players he can makes things happen. He has come up with an important goal in the last minute.'
Dream come true: Wilfried Zaha, pictured celebrating with Anderson, was delighted to score his first goal for Manchester United
Zaha has been one of the more impressive players on this United tour but was clearly relieved to score. 'I have had so many chances during the previous games that I am just happy I managed to get a goal today,' he said. 'I have dreamed about that. I just wanted to score for Manchester United. I finally did it today so I am happy.
'It was a good workout. They were much better than I thought they would be. It was such hard work running around and the weather doesn't help either. I enjoyed it though.'
It remains possible that Moyes may send Zaha out on loan this season, possibly back to the Championship where he was playing with Crystal Palace last time round.
But the young winger clearly wants to be part of the first-team picture at Old Trafford and added: 'Playing alongside these types of players is bound to help me. I just keep my head down and play.
Starstruck: Zaha admits he was in awe of the players around him when he first arrived at Old Trafford
'I was awestruck when I first came. But just being around them makes me know they are down-to-earth players. They are just like me really. It is nice being around them. My own target is to be able to get minutes during the season.
'For my first season in Manchester, I don't want to go out on loan or anything. I just want to play when I get the chance. Leaving Palace was the gamble I had to take. I am prepared to take that gamble.
'I enjoyed my time at Palace but I am at Manchester United now. There are bigger players than me here, so getting minutes will just do me fine.'
Moyes revealed yesterday that Kagawa will stay in Japan and work on his fitness while the rest of the United squad play Kinchee on Monday night.
We should consider other options because I don't think Fab would join us.
- Karan Miglani , New Delhi, India, 27/7/2013 06:47
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