Former Manchester United goalkeeper and treble winner Peter Schmeichel believes that impatient fans should bide their time with new manager David Moyes.
The Scot was Sir Alex Ferguson’s chosen successor, entering the post during the summer, but has endured an unconvincing start to his tenure at United’s helm.
Schmeichel, who captained United to victory during the now legendary 1999 Champions League final, told Sky Sports News that Moyes deserves time to bed in.
“We always knew that whatever happened after Sir Alex, it would be a bumpy road. Someone had to be really brave and take that job,” he said.
“We knew every little thing he does would be scrutinised and reported on in the media. It would be a debate – is he good enough?”
‘The Great Dane’ – who had an eight-year stint at Old Trafford that included 393 appearances and one goal – knows that United don’t offer long contracts on a whim.
“Has he got a few games left before he loses his game? He signed a six-year contract, there’s a reason behind those six years.”
However, some fans are proving difficult for the former Everton boss to win over after the first five league games yielded only seven points and featured defeats at fierce rivals City and Liverpool.
Pockets of the United faithful are already espousing the ‘Moyes Out’ school of thought – a view that Schmeichel struggles to understand.
“I listened to the radio and they’re saying it’s not even a top four squad, and I’m thinking ‘guys where do you get this from?’”
He urged supporters to remember how the early losses of 2012/13 eventually turned into United claiming their 20th English league title.
“People in football have short memories. The start of last season is the same as this season you know. We played relatively few games and had two defeats, one at Everton then Spurs at home, and we still managed to win by 13 points.”
United’s next fixture is a home meeting with West Bromwich Albion tomorrow afternoon.
Image courtesy of Playhouse Pictures via Vimeo , with thanks
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