Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor faces harsh backlash as Manchester United’s rocky season of stuttering and spluttering continues in the Premier League.
The former Everton manager was given the impossible task of replacing a man whom, some would say was the best manager of all time.
However many faithful supporters were happy with the appointment with Moyes declaring the appointment as a ‘challenge to relish.’
Despite this rallying cry, an inheritance of an already broken squad, and some shocking managerial decision have left the Red Devils languishing in the league and angry heckles from supporters around Old Trafford.
MM takes a closer look at some of the Scots worst choices to date.
5. Terrible tabloids
Although there are plenty of things Moyes should not solely take the blame for, the way he has disastrously dealt with the press is solely down to him.
He set the bar high with disastrous interviews early on in the season by claiming his own side: “were not good enough to win the champions league.”
Some could say realistic but in this case morale crushing.
After the home defeat to West Brom, Moyes said in a press conference: “I am concerned after today but there are a lot of games to go and we will try to put it right.”
To ‘try’ is not the attitude of a Manchester United Manager.
4. Failing to deliver a single consistent team sheet for consecutive games
Already this season the Scot has made an astonishing 83 team changes so far this season, include 13 different centre midfield partnerships.
With these dramatic changes throughout the season it is unsurprising that Manchester United have failed to deliver the winning results.
Injury has played a part in Moyes team selection however it is obvious he needs to allow players the time to gel with each other.
3. Changes to entire backroom coaching staff
Whereas some may say ‘why change it if isn’t broke,’ can we blame the man for wanting to do things his own way?
Well, he decided to go against Fergie’s advice by the dismissal of assistant Mike Phelan, first team Coach Rene Meulensteen sand goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.
Moyes brought with him assistant Steve Round, first team coach Jimmy Lumsden and Chris Woods as goalkeeping coach.
He also made the decision to bring with him former united and Everton defender Phil Neville.
This massive disruption could be partly to blame for United’s lacklustre performances.
2. The summer transfer window
A complete farce.
Moyes claimed Manchester United would be ‘spending big’ and he had certain targets to aim for – the main one being Everton’s star midfielder Marouane Fellani.
The Scot declared he had an unlimited budget for spending, even refusing to rule out a return to Manchester for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The reality of the window however, failed to live up to expectations.
Bids for Fabregas and Baines failed and it was looking that chief executive Ed Woodward was completely out of his depth.
Further humiliation came surrounding a £30.5 million bid to Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera when three people claiming to be officials from United had somehow made their way into Spanish league offices to pay the full fee.
There were many disputed versions of events from that night however the deal eventually collapsed.
1.Team tactics
Recently dubbed as playing with ‘Conference’ tactics the Red Devil’s appear to have hit rock bottom in regards to attacking play.
Moyes decision to stick to a 4:4:2 formation is harming the teams attacking quality with players such as Fellani (when fit) unable to move forward from a defensive midfield role.
At present the team are lacking in goals especially from midfield.
In the recent game against Fulham, United crossed the ball 81 times into the box. Their 31 attempts at goal only produced two goals. It took Fulham only 6 attempts to create the same amount.
In the past United have been one of the most predator teams in Europe, employing a lethal blend of speed and precision to carve up the opposing team while they were still back tracking, let alone trying to follow multiple runners.
However that was under Sir Alex Ferguson, and even the most die-hard fans are forced to acknowledge that United have been in a steady decline since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and particularly apparent in Moyes first season in charge.
DISAPPOINTING: Manchester United’s ‘Conference tactics’ in the 2-2 draw against Fulham
Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
