David Moyes : Testing times.

Yes, just another article about the most talked about man in the world of football : David Moyes, Manchester United's scapegoat. But I'm going to be a little different. Unlike most articles which are clear about their take on it, whether they are pro or anti Moyes, I'm going to try and look at it with a neutral point of view, without taking either side.

"Your job now, is to stand.......", ah screw it, no one cares what the old man who chewed gum said anymore right? Sir Alex Ferguson, our football god, decides to step down, marking one of the biggest changes in the history of Manchester United Football Club. The next question, who will replace him? Sir Alex uses his decades of experience and chooses a man he sees most fit to take this club forward, a man, who he knew, had never won a major title till date, a man, who he knew had not played in the Champions League till date, a man, who he yet felt could fill in his large shoes and continue United's legacy. My question to all those who worshipped Sir Alex and want Moyes out is, "Where's your loyalty towards the old man now?", "Where's that blind faith that you had in him all these years gone now?", "Why isn't that faith applicable to this decision of his as well?".

In comes David Moyes, with a controversial pre-season tour and transfer window behind him, wins the community shield and convincingly beats Swansea away, and the United faithful is happy again. And then, it starts. 7 months later, today, many want him out.

David Moyes has been dismal in many areas, on many occasions. His press conferences have been monotonous and uninspiring. His tactics have been proven wrong repeatedly. His substitutions have been pathetic. Overall, his 7 months at United have been a nightmare, for him, and fans alike. For the old and experienced Man United fans, this may not seem so bad, they've been there through bad times, and seen the club rise again. The younger generation however, isn't used to failure. Seeing United this low in the premier league table, is unacceptable. In this world of football, where managers aren't even given time to settle, where 'perform or perish' is the go-to motto, these fans have already lost their patience with the manager and are calling for his head.

Let's face it, it was never going to be an easy period of transition. Yet, it shouldn't have been this hard. Sir Alex Ferguson was the face of the club, not just the manager. He ran it the way he wanted to, there was no one who told him what to do. Comparing Moyes' situation to other new managers who have joined new clubs isn't right, because Moyes was filling in on another level. The players, the fans, the staff, the owners, the board, the club on a whole, had forgotten what it was to have Manchester United without Sir Alex. From managing Everton to managing United alone is a big step, to have to face all the other aspects of being Manchester United's manager is even bigger. And that is where Moyes has faulted. The argument can swing two ways now. One can say that he's been naive, not been able to take up the challenge, that's he's still in awe of the job and he isn't living upto it. Another can say that the job is so big, he needs time to settle in, and therefore the support.

Moving on to the on-field issues, our team is awful. It's an ordinary ageing squad which was made to look great by the great Sir Alex. Moyes isn't able to bring them to that level. But then again, would anyone else be able to? I don't think so. Vidic, Evra, Rio, Scholes, and Giggs are pretty much non existent this year, they played a major role for Fergie last year. Yes, a manager must bring out the best in his players. Yes, it doesn't seem like Moyes has the command over them like Fergie did. But it's an ageing squad, and Moyescannot be blamed for that. Yes, we look like we can barely score from open play. Yes, we lack creativity. But no CM was bought since Anderson many years ago, and Moyes cannot be blamed for that. The formations have been poor, usual 4-4-2 with pointless crosses continues without desired results, yes, Moyes can be blamed for that. Why we haven't shifted to a more central formation is beyond my imagination, especially after having signed Mata and with Kagawa on the bench. 

Another important factor this year has been 'luck'. Yes, absolutely nothing has gone right this season, right from the referee decisions, to the times we've hit the post, the times we've conceded by deflections, it's all been depressing and unlucky. Many fans have also said that Moyes has brought this bad luck to the club, which is absolutely baffling. However, the most important part is the injuries. And that is where our luck has been the worse. Rafael, Carrick, RVP and Rooney were our main men last year, all of them have been injured for long periods this season, rarely having played together. Phil Jones has been injured now and then, Smalling and Valencia have not been able to step in at RB in Rafael's absence, Evans, our best CB is injured since a while, Vidic Rio and Evra are history already, as mentioned. Carrick is a shade of his last season self, Fellaini has been injured for periods, no comments on Cleverley and the wingers. Persie and Rooney have been injured as well and missed many games. David Moyes cannot be blamed for this. (I personally do not believe the rumours about injuries in training)

I am not pro or anti David Moyes, I am pro Man United manager. I criticise him for his wrongdoings, but I shall support him as he's our boss. Just because we are used to success, and just because he cannot live up to to my expectation, isn't reason enough for him to be sacked in my opinion. Yes, you may name 5 managers now who you think will do a better job, but if they fail then what? Sack them after 7 months as well? Should we now change the Man United way and handle our bosses the way the rent club and noisy neighbours do? After having one manager for  27 years, is 7 months our new manager threshold? I'm not saying Moyes is the perfect man, I'm not saying he's doing a good job, all I'm saying is, the solution to our problems, may not be sacking the manager. Changes in tactics and players, with the same manager can do wonders as well. In my opinion, David Moyes should be given a chance to build his own Manchester United. Failing which, the board will have to take a call and replace him. But calling for his head 7 months into the job, may not be the wisest thing. He has his strengths, he's a thorough scout, identifies youngsters, gives them chances to become big at a young age, I hope he manages that with top youngsters at United and around the world along with a couple of world class signings. On one side, he looks clueless and dejected, ready to break down any minute, with no signs of improvement. On the other side, I'd give him my trust for another year at least, give him the money to build his own team and his own brand of football, I personally feel it is too soon to have him replaced and start a chain of managers.

I'm standing by my manager, the question is, are you?

          By- Manan Vora

Danny Welbeck - On the Rise!

Danny Welbeck seems to have finally answered his critics with his excellent performances this season, and he definitely seems a transformed player. Having scored just 2 goals all of last season, he now has 6 in the last 6 games, adding to his brace on the opening day of the season, making it 8 goals in the Premier League so far. Manchester United are struggling with injuries to Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney, and as we know from last season, and the start of this, we rely on these two for the major chunk of our goals. Danny's rise in form couldn't have come at a better time and I'm sure David Moyes is just as pleased as each one of us. 


Danny Welbeck is Manchester United through and through. He's a local lad, a massive fan, an integral part of the Manchester United system. He's come through the youth teams, and made his debut for United in 2008. He went on to win the 08-09 League Cup and 2008 FIFA Club World Cup before being sent on loan to Preston North End and later on to Sunderland. Since the 11-12 season, Danny Welbeck has been a regular figure in the Manchester United first team. He's found it really difficult to break into the first 11 on a constant basis because of the quality of strikers United have had over the years. Just when Danny must have sensed he'd be a regular feature from the 12-13 season, Fergie went ahead and bought the red hot Robin Van Persie who if fit, would undoubtedly feature in every game. 


David Moyes has stated that when he arrived he was informed of how important a role Danny Welbeck would be playing in United's future. Moyes understands the club, the way it functions, the way the youth players become top first team players, and it seems Moyes was determined to get Danny to play to his potential, and it's finally happening. Credit to David Moyes for that. Welbeck is a manager's delight- his stamina, work rate, ability to track back is spectacular, unlike strikers like Chicharito who won't be seen in our own half too many times. Players like Valencia and Welbeck give that extra defensive advantage, put pressure on the opposite team when they have possession, making it easier for the Manager to work his formations. 


It's because of his work rate that Danny has been given quite a lot of game time this season even if the top strikers have been playing. But he's been played on the wing, not his natural position at all. He had been lacking the finishing quality since a while, which was pretty evident in many instances when he should have ideally been slotting the ball home. The English media criticised him, fans questioned whether he was "United quality", but the Manager and coaching staff seem to have stood by him. I'm sure Danny was at Carrington trying to do his best to play as a winger and make a contribution to the team. His finishing and CF abilities may have taken a back seat resulting in his loss of form in that position. However, injuries have let him get back to his favourite and natural position, centre forward. He's taken his chances superbly and is in some sort of a run at the moment. It will be very interesting to see what David Moyes does with him once RVP and Roo are back into the first 11. Rooney behind Welbeck and RVP would be ideal in my opinion. Really hope Danny isn't pushed back to the wing, or the bench for that matter. 


Exciting times lie ahead for Manchester United, with youngsters like Januzaj and Welbeck making a big difference this season, and the likelihood of new signings coming in at least over the summer if not in January. Lets hope this isn't just a phase of brilliance for Danny Welbeck, but a transformation. Hope he manages to reach the 20 goal mark that David Moyes has set for him, and maybe even cross it. Lets hope when our strikers return from injury, Welbeck doesn't go back to his old self, but continues this hot streak with them. Hope is a term most United fans can associate with this season. It's the only thing we can do, as fans. So..

LETS. JUST. HOPE.

By- Manan Vora 

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur : Match Preview

League Champions Manchester United entertain Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on New Years Day with both clubs hoping to close in on the top 4. Always an exciting fixture, this time it holds all the more importance due to both teams having surprisingly horrifying starts to the season. While United began a new era under David 'The Chosen One' Moyes, Tottenham continued with AVB and the post-Bale era.

Spurs- New recruits with promising talent, Levy had done his business well, and this side was expected to take the League by storm. Call it the Manager's lack of ability, or the squad requiring longer, the new team failed to produce results immediately as expected, disappointing fans and the board alike, eventually resulting in the sacking of Villas Boas. I personally feel he should have been given more time, what's the point of spending so much and not being able to build on it. But that's the way it goes now, patience doesn't exist, everyone wants quick results, or they're fired before they know it. In comes new boss and former midfielder, Tim Sherwood, having instant success in his game against Stoke. Tim has played 4-4-2 in all his games, it's the formation he prefers, so I expect him to stick with that at Old Trafford as well. Kyle Walker is available again having served a one match ban but Jermain Defoe, Andros Townsend, Younes Kaboul, and Jan Vertonghen are sidelines through injury.

My predicted 11: Lloris, Rose, Chiriches, Dawson, Walker, Eriksen, Dembele, Paulinho, Lennon, Adebayor, Soldado - 4-2-2!

United- 4 League wins on the trot, United have momentum. Finally seem to have overcome those early jitters, David Moyes seems to have found his best team. It took him a while, shuffling around, seeing who fits in his plans perfectly, but he seems to have done it. Injuries haven't helped it all. United's success last season was due to De Gea, Rafael, Carrick, Rooney, RVP. One or two of them have been injured throughout, replacements coming in have barely made an impact. Credit to Moyes for giving Rooney a new life, giving Januzaj his first life, transforming Cleverley, Young and Welbeck into totally different players. Hopefully a signing or two in January or the summer and the team looks good for the future. Wayne Rooney will be welcomed after missing out at Norwich (provided he's fit, rumours say he didn't train today), Van Persie is close to a comeback and hopefully will be on the bench. Antonio Valencia is available having served his one match ban, but Rafael, Nani, and Phil Jones are still out injured.

My predicted 11: De Gea, Evra, Evans, Vidic, Smalling, Januzaj, Carrick, Cleverley, Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck- 4-4-1-1.

Hope we carry the momentum forward and build the pressure on the teams above us in the league.

My prediction : United 2-1 Spurs.

Manan Vora