There was no escaping the pressure when David Moyes was handed the reins at arguably England’s biggest club and current champions, Manchester United. Add into the mix Moyes was succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the most decorated managers in world football, the magnitude of the task was undeniably great. A task Sir Alex felt, however, Moyes could tackle; he pointed the Manchester United hierarchy to Moyes as the prime candidate, over the likes of Jose Mourinho, a vote of confidence like no other.
However after an indifferent start to their title defence, United are languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, leading to questions about Moyes’ ability and even, somewhat unthinkable in this era, whether United can finish in the all-important Champions League places.
What United seem to be lacking from previous seasons is that ability to grind results out even when playing badly. They have been uncharacteristically lacklustre at home, losing to West Brom, Everton and Newcastle as well as some fortunate draws. So why is this? Is it that Moyes doesn’t, at least yet, have the same motivational capabilities as Ferguson? He never seemed to have that problem at Everton though, who were always a force to be reckoned with due to their set up and work rate under Moyes tenure. Yet perhaps herein lies the problem. Moyes seems to have brought Everton’s style of play upon the champions and put simply this cannot work. United should go into every home game expecting to win, yet the four-four-two formation Moyes has taken on, whilst providing supposed defensive solidarity, limits United’s attacking threat. It’s a very rigid system and relies on width and getting crosses into the box. Yet Moyes has persisted with Shinji Kagawa on the left, Kagawa is not a wide player and is more suited to the number ten role.
Midfield is the key problem, Michael Carrick the exception, United’s midfield lacks the creativity and driving force required to control and win games. In recent games the two central players have been Ryan Giggs and Marouane Fellaini. Relying on Giggs, a player in his forties, highlights the issue and it has been well documented that Fellaini was not the kind of player United needed.
January then, is probably the biggest month so far in Moyes fledgling Old Trafford career and not necessarily due to the fixtures. The transfer window opens up and it would be a surprise at the very least, if United do not act during this time. What they really need is a world class playmaker and perhaps another winger if Moyes persists with his current system. The one name that crops up on regular occurrence is Wesley Sneijder, seemingly linked to a move to the North West in every window yet it never comes to light.
However if Moyes can get the Dutchman in, United as an attacking threat look suddenly a lot more potent, keeping in mind the wealth of striking options they have at their disposal in Van Persie, Rooney, Hernandez and Welbeck. It will take time, but Moyes should start getting the results the United faithful have grown accustomed to. Get Sneijder in and this process may come quicker than some expect.
