<
>

Moyes coy on Kroos ahead of UCL clash

MANCHESTER -- David Moyes refused to discuss Manchester United’s interest in Toni Kroos as he prepares his side to face the midfielder in Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal clash with Bayern Munich.#INSERT
type:image
caption:Tomi Kroos starred in the last round of the competition with a stunning goal against Arsenal.
END#

• Mitten: Spirit of '99 will be key
• Okwonga: Brutal Bayern test

• PickCenter: Man Utd-Bayern Insider

The Germany international is out of contract at the Allianz Arena in 2015 and Moyes has watched the midfielder several times this season, with Toni's brother Felix stating the Kroos family had discussed the Bayern star potentially moving to United.

Despite the Premier League club’s reported interest, the Old Trafford boss remained focused on the task of preparing for the arrival of Pep Guardiola’s Bundesliga champions, who wrapped up the German title last Tuesday.

"Bayern Munich have a lot of good players, not just Toni Kroos," Moyes told reporters at the prematch news conference. "I would never talk about any player at another club and Toni Kroos is a Bayern Munich player."

United will also face up against Arjen Robben, who Arsene Wenger described as "a great player and as well a very good diver" after the Netherlands international won penalties in both legs of the last-16 tie against Arsenal.

But Moyes refused to complain about the former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger, adding: "I have said many times I think diving is one of the hardest things for referees to get right.

"I would have retrospective cards, that is a personal view but I wouldn’t want to comment on individual players."

The United manager also revealed he is contemplating giving Shinji Kagawa a rare start against the Champions League holders.

The Japan international enjoyed an excellent record against Bayern during his days in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and recorded his first assist of the season in United’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

And Moyes said: "Shinji is a really important player for us, we like him a lot, he gives us something different and he is certainly in our thoughts for the game."

The manager also confirmed that Tom Cleverley is likely to be out of Tuesday's game, while Antonio Valencia should be in contention to face Die Roten after missing the 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday with tendonitis in his knee.