David Moyes lauded the ‘terrific’ show of support he received from Manchester United fans, despite an aerial banner protesting his reign at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The controversial fly-by occurred in Manchester United’s 4-1 win against Aston Villa, in yet another potential watershed moment for the under-fire United helmsman.
Following the board’s recent implication that his future would be decided by the fans a small group of supporters chose to literally air their concerns with a fly-by protest.
However, the incoming plane was booed by large sections of the crowd, while Moyes’ show of defiance, entering the field several minutes before his players, was warmly received by the Old Trafford faithful.
“I have found the support inside Old Trafford has been terrific and if ever there was a show of support for their football club and for their team, it was today,” said Moyes.
“Inside Old Trafford it was terrific, it really was.
“I speak to people outside and I have the same feeling everywhere I go of the support for this football club and the majority inside the ground today, 75,000, I thought they got right behind their club and their team.”
The stunt, which involved a plane trailing a ‘Wrong One – Moyes Out’ banner and was funded by Red Issue Main Forum, took place just after kick-off and was soon followed by another airborne message from Paddy Power offering ‘Fergie back in 6/1’.
Despite the distractions, United overcame an early deficit to secure a victory that was less comfortable than the scoreline suggests, with Moyes maintaining that his mind was on the match.
“I was focused on the game,” he said.
“My be all and end all was to make sure we as a team and a club won the game today, not anything else.”
After the game, Moyes recommended that the £800 for the banner could have been used in an alternative manner.“
For the people who have spent money on the plane, it would have been better served by putting it into Darren Fletcher’s colitis charity instead,” the 50-year-old proposed.
The Scot also gave an explanation as to his decision to emerge from the tunnel early, abandoning his usual routine of following the players out.
“I just wanted everybody to know that I am the manager of the club and you know where I am,” he said.
“I stand on the edge of the pitch every week. That’s my job.”
Ashley Westwood’s 13th minute free-kick had put United in danger of recording a third consecutive home league defeat and only their second Old Trafford loss to Villa in 36 meetings.
But a Wayne Rooney brace – hitting the Old Trafford net for the first time since late October – Juan Mata’s first United goal and an injury-time strike from Javier Hernandez rescued the points.
However, it was only the fourth time in 16 attempts that United have come from behind to win this season – an indicative reminder of their struggle to adjust to life under Moyes.
While Manchester Reds can take temporary relief from not having to endure further embarrassment, on Tuesday they welcome Bayern Munich in the Champions League – a side widely regarded as currently the best in the world.
Moyes though, while stopping short of positive naivety, believes that his players are in a good frame of mind and is relishing the prospect of facing the newly crowned Bundesliga champions.
“It’s been a difficult season for us but we can go a long way to doing an awful lot better if we can get a result on Tuesday,” he said.
“The players are incredibly focused and I am really looking forward to the game.”
Image courtesy of MUFC via Youtube, with thanks.
