Manchester United marched into the David Moyes era with the same level of confidence that the English cricket team had heading into this summer’s Ashes series.
Six months have passed and the Red Devils are limping towards the end of the season like Napoleon’s army after their ill-fated invasion of Russia.
Embarrassing Cup exits and regular insipid performances have seen the blowtorch applied squarely at the backside of David Moyes and management.
Rather than being one problem, Man United’s struggles in 2013/2014 are the sum of many problems. An ageing squad, lack of transfer activity combined with the luck of having their two best strikers injured for prolonged periods has contributed to the mess.
But it is off-field where I think Manchester United have erred the most this season.
When David Moyes arrived in 2013 he sacked most of the previous backroom staff, bringing Phil Neville, Chris Woods, Jimmy Lumsden and Steve Round from Goodison Park to Old Trafford.
This is not uncommon as there is an expectation that backroom staff come with a manager in a package deal.
A diehard United fan told me recently that Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen were credited by senior players at the club for being responsible for the success of the club over the past few years.
In hindsight, Moyes should have kept on a member of Ferguson’s old staff for continuity, much like the famous Liverpool ‘boot room’ of the 1970s.
Speaking of Ferguson, I believe his continued presence as a director of the club has proven to be the biggest error Manchester United has made during the transition.
I understand that Ferguson deserved some form of accolade for his success and service but his appointment as a director of the club was a reactionary rather than thought-out appointment.
Sir Alex has been silent and respectful towards the football department but his position of power is mentally affecting the team.
How can David Moyes build a new legacy when the remnants of the past cast a huge shadow over the club?
While David Moyes’ job title says he is the ‘Manager’, I think some players still regard Ferguson as the boss.
Precedence suggests that the retainment of Ferguson as a director will prove to be a bad move.
When Sir Matt Busby retired as United manager in 1968 in similar circumstances to Ferguson, he was given the General Manager’s role at the club with former player Wilf McGuinness becoming manager.
McGuinness lasted less than two seasons with the presence of Busby reportedly unsettling the team.
What followed was a 20-year-period of malaise, including relegation and mediocrity, which was only ended by the hiring of Ferguson and the retirement of Busby.
In contrast, Bill Shankly received little after his retirement in 1974 as Liverpool manager with the club determined to move on from his era.
While the decision was controversial (Shankly began attending Everton games in retaliation), the next 15 years saw Liverpool establish themselves as the premier club of Europe.
It may have been harsh but it was a reminder to all that Liverpool FC was bigger than any individual.
Manchester United with Ferguson placed the adulation of the individual in front of the future of the football club.
David Moyes still has a six-year deal and the patience of the owners. But as long as his predecessor lingers on the board of directors, Manchester United will never be able to fully embrace a life beyond Sir Alex.
It’s time to Ferguson to properly retire and allow the next era of to begin without distraction.
Twitter: @JohnHunt1992
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