“You have been the most fantastic experience of my life. I’ve been able to manage some of the greatest players in the country. These last minute goals, the comebacks, even the defeats, are all part of this great football club of ours. Your job now is to stand by our new manager.”
Those were Sir Alex Ferguson’s last few words, as he stood at the centre of the Manchester United universe, after the final whistle against Swansea last season.
He reminded us all of the journey we had gone with him, and made sure what he was expecting of the supporters when David Moyes took over.
To support Moyes, just the way we did with Ferguson, and soak up every win, every defeat, every goal, and even lacklustre performances, because that’s what football is all about.
11 games into the new season and I have never been so turned off football – not for the way United have been performing, or the results, but mainly due to my fellow supporters.
The whinging, the abuse, the pathetic pleas and repeated phrases of “Moyes has no idea” are getting old, getting tiring, and sucking the life out of football.
No one ever said the post-Ferguson era was going to be sparkly and easy.
It’s been hard to watch, hard to see our club performing so dourly and the thing that hurts most is not seeing our club perform with that ‘never say die’ attitude we were always so used to seeing.
But still, that doesn’t give us the right to go on the way some have.
Moyes isn’t entirely to blame, he has been thrown into a war zone, wasn’t properly backed by the board, started late and he was unprepared.
Our performances are suffering for it, but the guy is still trying to work out which XI works best, and I’m cool with that.
The 2013/14 season was always going to be about rebuilding and rebooting ourselves.
Saturday’s XI versus Southampton was close to our starting best. It was really brave for Moyes to dump our club captain and senior centre back for Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, and they were our best performing boys on the pitch.
Another brave decision was continuing to fledge Adnan Januzaj. Kudos to David and the board for signing him up for the next five years, this is what our club’s all about.
Adnan was immense. He continued his great form and played a crucial role in United’s goal, playing through a fantastic pass to Rooney.
He showed off his delicious passing ability – all match he was spraying the ball so accurately 40 yards across the pitch, and had some great attempts on goal.
It’s really hard to believe this lad is only 18 years of age!
There are some positives so far, the negatives may be outweighing them at the moment but this season is still in its infancy.
I don’t believe we will win the league this year, but whatever happens will be pivotal for the future of this club.
So if y’all just take a step back, put things in perspective, actually get behind the man who was chosen by Sir Alex to lead us forward and stop living up to the stereotype that opposition supporters put on us, then maybe good fortune will be just around the corner.
We have no right to win matches, to win leagues, to win cup competitions consistently. In the football world, clubs ride tidal waves, one season you’re up, and the next you may be down.
But the down seasons always make the up seasons so much sweeter!
So enjoy it, embrace the defeats, it’s fun to be the underdogs, it’s fun to fight back and prove everyone wrong. It’s fun to be United.
Stand by our manager and just embrace everything that’s happening, rather than whinge at every goddamn moment that’s possible.
Zee
Roar Guru
Uh Yes, I've noticed that. People just need to remind themselves that we are all entitled to a point of view. And to have a little respect won't hurt. The Sporting crowd is very hard to please
Zee
Roar Guru
He's a bit of an inconsistent odd ball. He has good periods here and there, but there's nothing solid to go on by. That's a very interesting thing to bring up, god knows. If he didn't develop under SAF/the united youth structure it could be a whole lot different. He's a great holding midfielder, and has good awareness but again ... consistency is what he lacks.
jamesb
Guest
If you ask me, I think Manchester United's going along just nicely. David Moyes, keep up the good work LOL. On a serious note, for a global brand like Man U, I'm still surprised they appointed someone like Moyes, IMO, this draws parallel to the Socceroos a few years ago, where we had Hiddink, and was then replaced by Arnold (caretaker for a year anyway). A legendary manager been replaced by someone who has a point to prove. Another thing I'm surprised by Man U, is I would've thought that one of SAF's assistants could have got the gig. When you appoint someone internally, that assistant would know what Man U is all about, as far as culture is concerned. Does Moyes know about Man U's culture? Or the other thing Man U could have done is appoint a manager in the elite category in the Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola class. But hey, Moyes could still prove the doubters wrong. SAF wasn't an overnight success when he commenced at Man U. So there is hope for Moyes. One final thing, for Man U supporters, you've had it good for so long. Winning trophies willy nilly every year. Fans from other teams could only dream of that success. To put it in perspective, fans from other teams may never witnessed their team winning a trophy in their lifetime. But despite that, they still support their team. Like I said before, Man U fans have had it good for so long. At the end of the day, maybe I'm waffling on too much. My post is almost as long as some articles on this site. David Moyes, keep up the good work LOL.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Fadida, I think you're right about Moyes' mentality and that's exactly what he needs to change. He still approaches games like he is at Everton and with that level of expectation. That's why I think the results have been better in Europe (I may be proved wrong this week....) because he doesn't have a negative preconception about the outcome or have played that team before with Everton. Once he can get his head around that I think he can go on to be a good ManU manager.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Absolutely with regard to the debate, I write some cricket articles and you need some seriously thick skin there, they're a serious bunch and really know their topic. I've had the 'hairdryer' a few times over there......
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I'm really not sure about Cleverley you right, he's a bit of an odd one. What I always think with guys like him is how good would you think he was if he wasn't in a ManU shirt? Wes Brown got a bunch of caps for England but at Sunderland he doesn't look very 'clever' and O'Shea hardly looks a world beater either now. I do actually quite like Cleverley as a link player with the right guys around him but I think there's an assumption always that any young player in a red shirt must be very good. Mind you he's played a few games for England, decent squad member at the very very least.
Andy
Guest
Not to mention it took him a season at least to settle into the Toffees midfield.The guy's a great player and will be a United stalwart for a long time. I think it's great for the league, and it's nice seeing most United fans behaving with less dignity than Liverpool fans. It will turn around sooner or later, and a season of redevlopment was always on the cards.
fadida
Guest
I'm all for patience, but you can't compare Ferguson's early years. They hadn't won the title for 15 years when he took over and the squad wasn't good enough. Money wasn't exactly plentiful either. Moyes has inherited the champions (many times over) but still manages as though he is at Everton. Hopefully he'll turn it around but I have never thought he was the right man, and have seen nothing to change my mind (1-0 at home to Southampton and he makes negative changes which unbalance the team and hand the initiative over - small club mentality) That Ferguson recommended him holds little weight. He also recommended MacLeish to Villa, let Pogba leave and failed to address United's glaring midfied weakness for 3 years
Zee
Roar Guru
Thanks Steven... it wouldn't be opinion pieces if there was no disagreement, differing views are what makes for great debate. Cheers Again, Appreciated. :)
Zee
Roar Guru
Thank You .. John. Much Appreciated :)
Zee
Roar Guru
The Quote was Right .. Sir Alex Ferguson was worth 10 points for Utd. This is a year of transition. Looks like Evra won't be at Utd next season, Rio F deal ends this summer, and It looks to be the season where J.Evans finally reclaims that CB spot as his own. There will be new talent to come in, more youth to be brought to the surface but there is positions that will be secured for some seasons yet. Dgea in Goal, Welbz either up top or out wide, Jones/Evans/Smalling in CB/LB positions, Rafael ... that RB spot is his for the next decade. Questions still linger over Cleverly ... will he ever fulfill his full potential? The sooner we get rid of the dead wood.. like the Youngs, Andersons, Bebe's, ect the sooner we can fully move forward
Zee
Roar Guru
Plastics.. *Shudders* They are everywhere. They are like leeches .. who suck the blood from success and prey on their next victims .. ala the next big thang. I grew up in a family of Liverpool and Newcastle United supporters, but they didn't have the romance that Utd did, they didn't have the history and the foundations that United did. To be fully entrenched with this club, you have to be in love with all aspects of this club, the good, the bad, the ugly and the fight, if not bugger off to City. They could do with a few more plastics to fill their emptihad.
Zee
Roar Guru
Exactly Mate.. If he's good enough for SAF he is more than good enough for us. We need a CAM... no doubt about that. Ozil.. the thought of us turning down RM offer to sign him is propably the most BRAIN DEAD decision we have ever made. But I don't blame that on Moyes, rather than Ed Woodward. If Gill was till our CEO.. I think our Summer would've been an entirely different one.
Zee
Roar Guru
I agree somewhat Steven .. Post Antonio Valencia's Injury he hasn't been the same, he has been inconsistent, and has lost the power... I think alot has to do w/ fear and the trauma of his past two injuries. I remember Tony V of old used to run at players, he used to take on his opposition with such confidence and Stamina ... but he's lost that. Instead of taking them on, he takes a step back and tries to compete with his opposition on the same level. Nani is Nani ... Frustratingly psychotically brilliant but diabolical. He brings more to the side than AV and Ashley Young. Moyes best decision so far, was to drop Av & AY and blood Januzaj. But w/ Adnan he plays with no fear and no expectation, that what makes it so thrilling. W/ Chicha ... he will always be the impact Solskjaer type of player, he was never going to be a front man. His work rate is always top notch. Yeh exactly, 11 games in, and they've already built the bonfire which I find utterly ridiculous. Fergie Started in 1986 it wasn't till 92/93 season till he won the league. I don't mind waiting another frame of time like that If It means building for the future, and building another great empire
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
But happy to discuss ManU on an Australian based web forum? I'll leave you to your last century views mate along with Alf Garnett.
Football United
Guest
I used to live in thailand so i get what the asian market is like when it comes to football and i found it wrong even then. 12 years ago you wouldn't have been able to find a Chelsea fake top on the streets, now every man and his dog has a Lampard or Torres kit. The team is called Manchester United, not Singapore or Bangkok or Sydney United. We can't stop the direction of the club but people picking a team on the other side of the world that they have absolutely not reason to affiliate with apart from them liking a successful side is just pathetic. What's wrong with backing your local team/league like we did? 20 years ago we had one of the most intimidating home atmospheres in the world and a sea of flags and banners floating across the terraces. Now match days are sometimes completely dead because the foreigners and day trippers are taking the seats and have no idea what the songs of the stands are.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
+1 JohnL. Don't always agree with all of it Zee but well written and well thought out.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think you're only right up to a point but the reality is that a lot of these 'bandwagoners' (I"m a Chelsea fan by the way not a United fan) are serving the club with a huge amount of its' finances. Harry Redknapp complained whilst at Spurs of having to tour Asia yet they're still happy to take millions and millions in TV rights and shirt sales, you could always say we don't want your money. You are quite right that many fans are hugely fickle and know little of the history of the club but I can also tell you that sitting here in Singapore, many of the fans are hugely diehard and it is not their fault that they weren't born in the shadow of the Stretford End or that football simply wasn't available to watch until maybe 20-30 years ago. ManU have never been shy about taking people's money, in fact they are the ones that have truly pioneered the global brand. Yes matchday tickets are taken away from local diehards but is someone who saves up money for the trip of a lifetime to see his team at the other side of the world less diehard? Many fans out here get up in the middle of the night regularly and even go out at that time to watch in coffee shops etc if they cannot afford cable tv. Whilst it's maybe to the distaste of many of the locals, it's also a huge reason for the financial muscle that has kept them at the peak of the game. Truly terrible being the biggest club in the world.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think the reason they don't get consistent results is because nearly all the players you mention are not consistent. Nani and Valencia are prime examples of that. Ferguson did not trust Hernandez to start many games, Fellaini has been poor and I don't see how anyone can claim Januzaj can produce consistent results after two weeks, maybe after two years, he's still a highly inexperienced teenager. Rooney himself has in recent seasons been very inconsistent and Kagawa who can be excellent can also be anonymous in games, especially when Moyes doesn't even put him on the bench! Jokes aside, of that list you given, I would only count RVP as a truly consistent performer in recent years. Evra and Ferdinand are becoming error prone and the keeper whilst better is has been inconsistent also. Whilst we all have our views on Moyes, it is grossly unfair to judge him so early in his stint and given that is still such a short period of time since Ferguson left. No one should forget it took Ferguson YEARS to get it right, admittedly from a far lower starting point. It's only October and I would still wager ManU will finish in the top 4 and they can regroup. That's far from a disaster given they've just lost Britain's greatest ever domestic manager.
JohnL
Guest
Have read a couple of your articles this week Zee and have enjoyed them. Keep up the good work!