Manchester United made a mistake by signing Marouane Fellaini instead of Everton's Ross Barkley, according to former Red Devil Michael Owen.

United signed Fellaini for £27.5m on the last day of the summer transfer window, but he has so far struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford.

Owen wrote on his Sports Lobster blog: "Moyes would have expected an instant return on investment when buying Marouane Fellaini. I rate him highly in a certain type of team but I'm not sure he is a Manchester United player.

"Moyes would have been better served by breaking the bank for another of Everton's players.

"A team consisting of two of the best youngsters in the Premier League, Adnan Januzaj and Ross Barkley, would have immediately sent out a the message that Moyes is building a team to last."

Barkley has flourished under new Everton boss Roberto Martinez and is an outside bet to become part of the England World Cup squad.