Since his appointment, Moyes has seen things go against him, with the lack of business during the summer transfer window, injuries to his key players, he was presented with an unsettled Wayne Rooney and of course, a squad of many average players, who had emerged as Champions the season before.
Whilst a lot people have been giving Moyes stick for the recent United performances and results, only a few would realize what a mess Sir Alex left the team in. Yes, he won trophies, he was ruthless and successful, but he made errors, big time errors that went unnoticed and no one dared to criticize him in the media, because he would shut you up with his successes; but, he didn't retire because he couldn't handle it anymore, its because, he knew, the squad he had could not get him anyway forward, and whilst his rivals spent money like no other, he remained there, letting the likes of Pogba leave for free and opt to bring Scholes out of retirement. For the last three seasons, he has failed to buy a complete midfielder, his inability to replace Scholes and Keane remains to be one of the greatest setbacks during his career, even though it is overshadowed by the shining trophy cabinet he has.
It should be remembered, when everyone mentions the fact that this was the 'same team' that won the league last season, United won the title because of three reasons:
- Robin Van Persie's goals.
- The absence of a strong title challenger, Chelsea were fav until they sacked RDM, City lost the hunger, Liverpool were in transition, Spurs were with AVB and Arsenal were getting over the RVP transfer.
- Sir Alex Ferguson: Managers who have managed top clubs with vast experience will tell you how much of a difference the presence of the Manager brings to the team. Wenger, Fergie, Mourinho are managers whose presence will give you 10 points easily.
Yes United won the title, with the same squad Moyes has inherited, but ask Mancini, Wenger and Mourinho; what is the most difficult thing as a manager, and they will tell you: "To motivate your players to win the same trophy every year." The results speak for themselves, Mourinho doesn't stay for longer in clubs he manages because he knows when his team has lost desire, Mancini lost it last season, Wenger and Fergie are two managers who possess this ability, to motivate players to win the same thing every season. To grind out results from teams, to get top class performances from your players and to instill that mentality is what Fergie was known for, but even he knew, that this was the end of an era, just like squeezing an orange to give you juice, there comes a time when you remain with nothing but the skin, and that is Moyes has inherited at United.
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Addressing the question as to why Moyes was appointed and not any other manager, its quite realistic to say that Manchester United do not have the spending power like other teams do, yes, it's sad to admit it, but it is what it is. The Glazers have been used to SAF not spending money and getting them the results, and they expected this to last for long. There would be no other manager willing to work on the tightest of budgets for a Top Club, and if there ever was, then it was Moyes, because he is someone who for the last 10 years at Everton, worked on an average of 3m budget.
When SAF was appointed as the manager of Manchester United, he made a statement, "This is not a football team, it is a football club." There were reasons behind these, the club has a philosophy, they play in a way they have been known for, but the club is also known for stability, long term planning and its ability to produce young players. It is of no doubt here, that Moyes qualifies for the above mentioned conditions. Many will argue about his playing style and compare him to what Everton are right now, but what they do forget is, who built that team, who went through thick and thin with the club and who brought all those players? I am surprised when people say Everton is where they are, have these people been watching the Premier League all these years or are they one of the many who just speak out of the blue? In 2005, they qualified for Champions League football, a mere three years after his appointment, his greatest set back being finishing 8th for the first time in four years in 2010 and last season he finished above Liverpool. Did he win all those games with boring, selfish, ugly and useless football? I am pretty sure you never watched Everton then. The only reason why people have been going on about all the nonsense, is because United are below Everton, not that Everton are currently in the same position they have been for the last few seasons.
One thing should be clear, the fans of this club are used to glory, since I was born, until SAF retired, all I have known is Manchester United are winners, we have seen trophies all over the place in the last 20 or so years, and we all knew it will come to a time, when we will step back, build and do what we do the best- Come Back Stronger! Just like many out there, I never expected it to be this bad, but what I never expected was that David Moyes to be fully blamed for what has gone wrong this season. When Brendan Rodgers took over Liverpool, for the first few months we all took Liverpool as a laughing stock, even their own fans were fed up, but when he was given the "TIME" to "BUY HIS" set of players, he turned it around for them.
One does not simply walk into a new club and start a clear out, ask AVB he will tell you why, and David Moyes has been in the game for long enough to know not to do so. The man is no angel, it is always hard to get into the boots of SAF, and he is finding it difficult right now, not because he can't do it, but because he doesn't have what he needs. The man needs to buy his set of players, he needs to instill in them the mentality and his way of football, and he can not do it over night.
Every Manager walks in with their own set of coaching staff, and one thing where people criticize Moyes and I do commend him for is the fact that he showed Ferguson who the boss is. When Fergie told him to stick with his coaching staff, he brought in his own, but, he did it after offering Rene the assistant manager job, which Rene refused. Fair play to him, he wanted a new challenge, yes Moyes needs a great tactician in his coaching staff, and I hope he does get one soon. Whilst managers keep getting accolades, people tend to forget how immense and great the work rate and role an assistant manager plays.
One thing that has left me worried is the expression on the player's faces, the fact that they don't possess the same desire they did under Ferguson, they could have their own reasons, but here is when the Manager's stand and authority comes in. It is simple, no one is greater than the club, its a policy everywhere, and United is no different. How can one blame Moyes if your strikers can't score, or if you can not take a sensible penalty kick? Ask Wenger, he will tell you the same thing, and refer to my last article, where I highlighted how players were to be blamed and not Wenger for the woes at the club.
One thing is for sure, just like how Ozil\s signing brought a psychological boost to Arsenal, Moyes needs to do something similar. There is always a need of fresh air, a new face in the club which motivates everyone, we all know its been the worst season for United, but a few signings would be a great motivation. Moyes needs to wrap up deals soon, his inability to make quick decisions has to come to an end, and Ed Woodward needs to step up his game.
I am not saying Moyes is the best manager in the world today, there are many out there who have won lots, achieved more and done better in their first season, all I am trying to say is, it is absolute nonsense to blame Moyes for the results and the performances. I will stand by my opinion that this squad is not strong enough to compete for any thing this season, and if you want a proof, write down your best midfield this season, make 6 best midfield teams, and let me know if you ever do have any Fit Manchester United player who makes it in your team, apart from Adnan Januzaj, who is a mere 18 year old.
David Moyes is no Sir Alex Ferguson, he is David Moyes, he has made mistakes, he will continue making them, and he will learn through them. Every Manager has had lows through which they have learnt and come back stronger, and I don't see any reason why Moyes can't do the same/
David may not be the best man for this job, there are many out there with better qualifications, but he is the right man, for now at least, to build a project, to build his team, to make the Glazers know that keeping the money at home won't be enough to win titles and for everyone out there to know, that Manchester United are no glory hunters, stability and long term planning is part of the philosophy and this will continue for generations to come.
I am not standing by David Moyes because SAF said so, SAF is not my Father and can not ask me to share the same opinion as his, but I support David Moyes, because just like you and me, he deserves the chance and the time to establish himself in the name of the Most Successful Club in England for the last 20 years.
I stand by David Moyes just like I would have stood by any other manager at any other club. I stood by Brendad Rodgers when he was appointed, not that I am a Scouser or will ever be, but because, Football is not a night club where you come and enjoy your drinks for a night and move on, Football is a religion, it is a nation and it is life! Just like how you and I grew up wearing pampers and weren't rushed by our parents to wear Jeans and a shoe size 8 when we were just four, this is exactly what Football is about, time and patience, and of course results do count!
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