David Moyes insists that Manchester United are focused on Saturday’s Premier League clash away at Newcastle United – despite admitting that he has ‘other things on the mind’.
The Reds face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg on Wednesday, but must first negotiate a trip to the North East of England.
In a confused press briefing, the United helmsman claimed that he is not looking beyond the Newcastle game before performing an about-turn.
“The only thing we are thinking about is the Newcastle game,” he explained. “The focus is all on Newcastle.
“Obviously I have got other things on the mind, but the focus is Newcastle and we will try to balance things out correctly.”
The 50-year-old then went on to further contradict himself by outlining the benefit of facing Bayern on Wednesday rather than Tuesday, affording his players an additional day’s rest between the games.
“We have got an extra day’s recovery,” he said. “Saturday to Wednesday is better than last week when it was Saturday to Tuesday. But the message to the players is that it is Newcastle United, this is the next game and it is the most important one.”
Despite the admirable display against Bayern on Tuesday, holding the Bavarians to a 1-1 draw, the Reds’ domestic form fails to encourage, having lost two out of their past four matches.
United also succumbed to a 1-0 defeat when they hosted the Magpies back in December – though they go to St James’ Park boasting the best away form in the Premier League.
The Toon Army have not done the league double over United since the 1930-31 season, and their recent form – nine defeats in 14 league games and seven goals conceded in the past two – is not offering any signs of that run being broken.
Furthermore, history leans in United’s favour, with the Reds having lost just two out of their past 24 meetings with Newcastle in all competitions – a record that Moyes is keen to improve on.
“We have to go up there and put on a good performance and get three points, trying to build a little bit of momentum towards the end of the season,” he said. “We will go there and try to do that.”
The Scot’s chances of securing victory on Tyneside are improved by the return of Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, whose recovery from injury will provide a welcome boost to the depleted United backline.
“We have got Jonny and Chris on the way back, which is important for us because we have missed them through what has arguably been one of the most difficult times of the season for us,” said Moyes. “We could have done with their youth and enthusiasm.”
Main image courtesy of 90th min via YouTube, with thanks.
