As David Moyes wandered down the Old Trafford tunnel following his side’s defeat to Newcastle on Saturday, he may have been re-evaluating his expectations.
United’s 1-0 defeat was their fifth of the season, leaving the Red Devils a seemingly unassailable 12 points behind leaders Arsenal, who stumbled slightly with a 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday.
Given the Red Devils’ performances this season, the expectation surrounding the Theatre of Dreams is now considerably lower.
Fans have all but kissed goodbye retaining the Premier League title and even securing a Champions League spot is looking questionable.
It is certainly an unfamiliar sight to see Manchester United languishing in ninth position leading into Christmas; however the blame cannot solely be put on David Moyes.
While the Scotsman is struggling, those in the higher ranks of the organisation – including Sir Alex Ferguson – must also be held accountable. Manchester United’s downfall has been a long time coming.
Moyes’ job, like all mangers, is team selection, tactical implementation and motivation of the players.
So far Moyes has failed. The ex-Everton manager has continued to select players who have been unable to do the job.
The Scotsman has repeatedly persisted with his only signing, Marouanne Fellaini, who has looked unsuitable in the United midfield and Moyes has continued to select the out-of-form Ashley Young.
Moyes has also seen it as acceptable to implement the defensive tactics that saw him become so successful at Everton into his Manchester United side.
His tactics have encouraged his team to grind out 1-0 victories by closing games out at the end. This has resulted in United conceding late equalisers against weaker teams and relying on the concept of defence when they should be attacking.
Moyes, however must be commended for the recent rise in Wayne Rooney’s form.
The 28-year-old has been sharp for United, netting eight goals this season and looks to have benefited from Moyes’ system that recogniss the ex-Everton star as the main man.
Moyes looks to have brought the best out of Rooney, something Sir Alex often struggled to do.
Sir Alex himself is not without blame for the current form of his beloved team.
In his retirement, the elder Scotsman made it clear he believed he had left the team in strong shape for future success.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
United have only signed one marquee player in the last eight years – Robin Van Persie.
As players have got older, the squad has failed to be replenished. The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra are past their best and have not been replaced.
The current squad is also full of players who have been given their chance and have been unable to take it.
Anderson, Johnny Evans, Nani, Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones have all proven they are short of the star quality Manchester United fans have come to expect over the years.
Apart from Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and possibly Michael Carrick, it’s hard to see where the firepower is coming from.
Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez have all showed they are capable, but it does not come on a consistent basis.
In contrast, United’s rivals have brought in a number of players who have proven they can do the job week in, week out.
Chelsea have brought in Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata, while Manchester City have recruited Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, David Silva and a host of others.
Mesut Ozil has already proven at Arsenal he is a game-changer. United lack this kind of firepower.
The Glazer family must surely realise they need to dig deep into their pockets and spend big over the coming months.
Manchester United has become a symbol of success across the globe and without the recruitment of some new talent, the Manchester United brand is risking considerable damage.
Moyes, without doubt, must be given time to steer the ship in the direction he believes his right.
However with the foundations currently in place and the quality and depth of the current squad, United fans cannot be surprised if they see their side fail to meet the expectations they have become so used to over the past two decades.
Morgan Popham
Roar Pro
How's that prediction looking now Ed?
Daniel Bradley
Roar Rookie
Skrtel needs to find another club. Rodgers wouldn't be that foolish to keep him at the club if he continues to score own goals and let midfielders go on a wing play and score easy goals which happened when Cabaye scored for Newcastle United. Speaking of Manchester United, Moyes has apparently been scouting for players mainly from Spain and Portugal as he was spotted in Spain at an Ateltico Madrid match against Porto where he was looking at Koke, a midfielder for Ateltico Madrid. United have also been interested in signing Wesley Sneijder from Galatasaray which should bolster their midfield which in the last several seasons has been uninspiring ever since Ronaldo left. It's bizarre that players such as Kagawa and Hernadez played exceptional last season but they have been misfiring badly this season. I also wonder if Giggs is causing a hindrance to the squad since he is consistently getting game time at 40 years of age when Moyes should try and bring up young players such as Januzaj.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
I think that transitional period will be at least 3 to 4 years John. Can United afford to go out with silverware for that long?
John
Guest
It's funny, when we said that Moyes had inherited a squad in need of a rebuild in June, we were largely mocked for disparaging a league winning team (http://provenquality.com/ferguson-hasnt-left-united-in-great-shape/), now quite a few more people seem to agree. Fact is, there are a lot of ageing players in the squad, and a transitional period is needed while they bed in new signings and their promising young players.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
Yea true, probably a little harsh to call it a flop, but they did show a dip in form and like many I linked that to Sturridges absence. Still can't agree with you on Agger and Skrtel. They just don't look very composed at the back, especially Skrtel who has been poor this season. Their mistakes could prove costly for Liverpool come the end of the season.
Steve
Guest
I would hardly call either of Skrtel or Agger as useless. they just aren't a good enough partnership when together. One, if not both will be on the move, if not next month the definitely in the summer. Sakho will be the number 1 CB at Liverpool, should be now, not sure what Brendan Rogers is thinking there, he's clearly the best CB at Liverpool. Central midfield is Liverpool's problem ATM, which hopefully will be sorted next month. But we will see I guess. Im not sure how you can say Liverpool have started to flop since Sturridge's injury. Played 3 , admittedly a shocker against Hull, but won the other 2 with the Suarez masterclass against Norwich and the recent win over West Ham. Moved from 4th to second on the table without Sturridge. The next 4 games will be the limus test for LFC, with Games against Spurs, Cardiff, then City and Chelsea back to back. If Liverpool come through these 4 games still in the top 4, I believe we will indeed finish the season in the top 4 and claim a Champios League place.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
This is just one example of the negative knock-on effects David Moyes' tactics will have on United. They've started playing boring, ineffective football. What world-class player would want to play in a team like that? I think the most attractive thing about playing for United was the fact that you'd be playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager ever. That carrot has gone now and the replacement is not as appetising.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
Yea Daniel definitely agree with the Liverpool signings. Sturridge has really stepped up this season and his importance to the team has been proven; since he's been inured they've started to flop. The goals have dried up without him. Interesting that you relate to Suarez as a signing. I agree though, keeping Suarez was probably the signing of the summer besides Ozil's move to Arsenal. Liverpool actually have similar problems to United in terms of who they need to bring in. They need mother established centre midfielder to accompany Gerrard and they are in serious need of a decent centre-half. Agger and Skrtel are useless and Kolo Toure needs a strong partner.
Daniel Bradley
Roar Rookie
Here are some points as to why Moyes was picked even though they are not actual facts. 1. He previously managed Everton, a team that Manchester United get along with since they both hate Liverpool. 2. He like Alex Ferguson, is of Scottish nationality. 3. Ferguson and Moyes happened to have got along well when they were both managers. Nothing to do with skill and talent whatsoever which to me is frustrating as Manchester United can do a lot better. But, do remember that often in seasons where United won they often got off to mediocre starts and somehow by Christmas they were able to be towards if not top of the table. The problem with Moyes is that he thinks that the tactics he used at Everton would work at United in which he was completely wrong as the calibre of players at Manchester United can perform obviously higher than Everton players. But I think the problem with Ferguson as manager at Manchester United was a lot longer than of recent times. Do remember that in the early 2000's he often bought players (mainly strikers and defenders etc.) who were absolutely rubbish and it was not until when Cristiano Ronaldo replaced David Beckham in 2003 where United started to perform well even though it took them 3 years to eventually win another title. It's obvious that United's success in this decade and the last will not be as remembered as in the 1990's where they did destroy the whole competition and dominate in such fashion Also Eddy, you forgot to mention about the Liverpool signings of Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Phillipe Coutinho as they have played a large part into Liverpool's recent success. I know I'm saying this because I support Liverpool but they too should be given credit for their efforts in changing the team.
j binnie
Guest
Eddy- What "team' are you talking about?. I thought this discussion was about the lack of a "team" at United.Felliani has had 2 or 3 goes when Carrick has been absent & obviously Moyes used him as a "screener " for his back four,not in my opinion his best position for he does lack the natural aggression of a Scholes despite his excellent distribution skills. I don't think anyone sees him as a threat to confirmed goal getters like Rooney or Van Persie but with Carrick fully fit & Kagawa & Felliani as go forward midfielders I could see him as a threat coming in on goal,but first they need fullbacks who can consistently play good cross balls into the area,like Baines as you suggest, or Walker from Spurs and of course,as you say the "rock" needed at centre back. It's an endless discussion is it not ? jb
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
Alan Shearer would wince at that stat
Matt F
Roar Guru
I'd rather have us there too! We've got some winnable games coming up as well which , of course, means that we'll probably lose them. It's the rollercoaster ride of a Newcastle fan. You're not wrong about the foreign legion line. The commentators said at the end of the weekends game that 22 out of our last 23 goals have been scored by Frenchmen. Might as well just change our name to Nouveau château :)
Matt F
Roar Guru
Merci monsieur
Andy
Guest
No way Everton need him back. He's a great CDM and long-term will work out for United. With the way Martinez currently has Everton playing he simply isn't needed and Baines is more valuable to the side than Fellaini. That said with how Oviedo is playing Baines will probably have to bide his time before walking back into the starting line up. Fellaini has always been a little inconsistent, but absolutely unplayable on his day. It took a couple of seasons for him to shine at Everton and United may not have that sort of time to wait, but I think he'll come around and be an anchor in ther midfield for a very long time.
Andy
Guest
Martinez has had a very solid base with which to work at Everton. He has a well disciplined defence and a very talented core who are now thriving after being given a little more freedom. I don't see the same aspects when I look at United's team. Some absolutely amazing players there, interspersed with some very ordinary players. I agree that Moyes needs time to build his own side. I have had the same argument with quite a few United fans who seem to think that anyone should be able to manage their side to another title. Given how sides such as Chelsea have played I don't know if Mourinho would have managed to be substantially better than Moyes this season to date either. Patience will see United back on track over the course of the season, but I don't think they will quite qualify for next season's UCL.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
He was able to bring consistent success to Everton on a short budget. They continually 'punched above their eight'. I agree, United need someone who is used to winning silverware and working with big name players (and their egos). It's almost as if Moyes hasn't realised that hes coaching a big side now and can bring in bigger players. Signing Fellaini was a joke.
Eddy Bramley
Roar Pro
With Rooney, Van Persie and Kagawa, I can't see a place in this team for him. United should do Everton a fvour and give him back. Maybe try swap him for Baines haha. Carrick needs someone next to him and they need to purchase a solid rock to put at the back.
Andy
Guest
I think it's risky for Gondogan to head to United. He's very comfortable at BVB, and Kagawa has shown that fitting n well there does not mean you will walk into a side like United. To emphasize that point think about Sahin's short stay at Liverpool as well. I'd love to see him running around the EPL but I don't know that now would be the best time for a move. There's no certaintly of champions league next year, no certainty of a manager (and even if there is will he want to play under Moyes?).
Andy
Guest
I think it's risky for Gondogan to head to United. He's very comfortable at BVB, and Kagawa has shown that fitting n well there does not mean you will walk into a side like United. To emphasize that point think about Sahin's short stay at Liverpool as well. I'd love to see him running around the EPL but I don't know that now would be the best time for a move. There's no certaintly of champions league next year, no certainty of a manager (and even if there is will he want to play under Moyes?).
Adrian
Roar Pro
The biggest question i have in all this is....why was Moyes picked to succeed Fergie. Out of the many coaches out there...why Moyes, he doesnt have any records of major win......so now teams like new castle, everton,.....who havnt won at old trafford in ages...20-30-40 years are now breaking the record...Also think about how Manchester will be able to attract best players..with the current coach and manchester lookingly likely to miss out on champions league..it would be hard to attract!!