About 8 months before, Sir Alex Ferguson was given a tearfull farewell at Old Trafford. He thanked the fans for support in his heydays and patchy days. His last act was the vow from fans in support of new manager.
It was the match against Swansea City. What and irony of history? The same team returned to same venue and showed exit door to hosts in FA cup this time. It was United’s 6th home defeat of the season. The fans booed the team after lacklustre show. Currently they are 11 points adrift of leader Arsenal in EPL. Their place in Champions League is in serious jeopardy.
David Moyes is the first person who is facing the heat. But he is not the sole reason for the decline of the empire. There are many other factors that desire scrutiny.
The team is a bunch of aging players. Patric Evra, Vidic, Rio Ferdinand are above 30. The team has been beset by injuries. Van Persie, Phil Jones, Rooney, Nani, Carrick and Rafael have spend long weeks without action due to it.
Robin Van Persie, league’s top scorer for 2 seasons is not fully fit. He has played only 2 games since November. The pivot of midfield, Michael Carrick is looking a fading force. Defence is in tatters. The team has already conceded 24 goals in 20 games in this season of EPL. Players like Rafael da Silva, Nani, Javier Hernandez, Valencia are looking a shadow of their past.
Sir Alex was known to squeeze extra from the players. Sadly, Moyes is not in that chemistry with the squad. He brought in his man Friday of Evertan Marouane Fellini but he had failed to deliver goods. Only David de Gea is looking inspired. Their performance against big names is below par. They lost to Liverpool, their noisy neighbours and men in blues. Draw against dejected Tottenham and victory against Arsenal is the only saving grace.
There is some silver lining for the manager. Wayne Rooney (whose relationship with Fergie soured in later days) is back in his best. 18 year old Belgian Januzaj is the pick of the season. He has impressed with his talent and skill. The team qualified from tough group of UEFA champions League to next round with a game in hand. They are to play against Olympiakos and a QF berth is almost certain. They are in League Cup SF against weaker Sunderland.
Traditionally, January is not the best time to pick the best horse. David Moyes has himself admitted it in his press release. The injury list is not improving. If United could not enter in the Champions League the next year then it will be a big jolt for the ambition of club. It will cripple them both emotionally and financially.
The club management is with the new coach. Only 6 months have passed of the 6 year contract but in the season of hire and fire of coaches, Moyes has successfully retained the chair. Fans of Man U are intelligent. They still have not come out in open in protest. They clearly know that no one can replicate 26 trophy years of Sir Ferguson. But Moyes has to be cautious. The agitators are small but growing. They desire and deserve to retain seat of power in Domestic and European Competitions.
Big shoes of the successor are proving very slippery for the same country man. May he learn some lessons from Sir Alex who still makes regular presence at Old Trafford.