Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday will not live long in the memory of most Reds, but it is a win that David Moyes will never forget.
After what can at best be described as a trying start to life at Old Trafford for Moyes, the defeat of Arsenal finally added some substance to Sir Alex Ferguson’s recent claims that his successor ‘will be fine’.
Ferguson oversaw some classic United triumphs over the Gunners during his tenure in a clash that always tended to produce dramatic moments.
From the 8-2 demolition of a bewildered Arsenal side in 2011 to United’s 4-2 exhibition display at Highbury in 2005, the Ferguson-Wenger fixture perpetually excelled in the astonishing.
Moyes’ first success over Arsenal for the Red Devils was much more low key, which in many ways suited him.
While preparing for the visit of Arsenal, Moyes probably thought he was back at Everton.
His team had started the season slowly, were unfancied despite having home advantage, and would be encountering a technically superior opponent.
The Scot undoubtedly reveled in this role as he was able to send his team out with the sort of battle-plan that his Everton side was so often heralded for.
Moyes deployed his dogs of war who matched the intensity of the bellowing Old Trafford crowd as they repeatedly hounded Arsenal out of possession.
Manchester became Merseyside as Shinji Kagawa morphed into Stephen Pienaar, Phil Jones became Leon Osman in midfield and Marouane Fellaini played himself – for five minutes.
Of course Moyes’ United are an upgrade on Moyes’ Everton.
Comparing Robin Van Persie to Nikica Jelavic is like comparing a fillet steak to a strip of donner meat.
But on Sunday the former Everton manager’s Goodison Park-inspired influence on the team was in evidence.
It was one of the first occasions during what has been a turbulent beginning to his Old Trafford career that Moyes imposed his principles on the United team and the fact that this yielded a victory will do the Scotsman’s confidence the power of good.
Following an embarrassingly tentative performance at home to Chelsea, an always painful defeat at Liverpool, a footballing lesson at Manchester City and humiliation at home to West Brom, lesser managers may have capitulated under such vicious scrutiny and criticism.
Prior to the Arsenal game the last Sunday fixture United had played was the 4-1 drubbing at Manchester City.
That day Moyes looked on in horror as his team were pummeled by their rivals and could have been forgiven for wanting his cosy job at Everton back.
But after his most credible victory since succeeding Ferguson, Moyes can now sleep more soundly during the two-week international break.
Without question Moyes’ team remain a work in progress, anyone who watched their turgid away encounter with Real Sociedad can vouch for that, but Sunday’s triumph suggests the 50-year-old is beginning to grow into his role.
However, as Van Persie powered in Rooney’s corner to the delight of Old Trafford the catharsis of the fist-pumping Moyes was there for all to see and the so-called ‘crisis’ at United faded softly into Sunday night.
Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks
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