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
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
If SAF can convince the Glazers to stop looting the club, he should stay. Otherwise, as someone who was instrumental in allowing said looting, he must go.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Tomorrow morning will be very telling of whether this team has any quality whatsoever. They have a good record against Arsenal, who are coming of a massive thrashing. Man Utd have the talent to win this game but I'll lose the plot if I see anymore ridiculous crossing.
bill boomer
Guest
Furgus doesn't need to be interfering, his very presense is destablizing.
Axle an the guru
Guest
All you little red devils have been spoilt for to long its good to see united come back to earth a bit its always good to see other clubs do well for a change no matter what the code is blame who you want to but a club carnt be on top forever -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Good article, agreed. I'm not entirely sure however how much Ferguson still being around is really affecting the team as there's no suggestion he's trying to meddle in team affairs and if anything, his support of Moyes should reinforce that appointment given the influence that everyone still believes he has. I think there are three main issues for United so far this season. Firstly, the squad has been on the decline for some time. With the exception of RVP, I can't recall many players who have been brought in in recent years who have been better than the ones they replaced, it's been a downward curve for some time now. I still don't understand how they won the title last season. A combination of weak challengers, a sublime RVP and Ferguson's force of will I guess. Yes Moyes was probably wrong to bin all Ferguson's coaching staff (although I can also understand why he did) but I think a bigger issue for him was the outgoing David Gill. I have no doubt that United's Summer transfer debacle could have been mitigated to a large degree had he still been there. A new chief executive was not what Moyes needed as he came on board. Lastly, I still believe the biggest problem with Moyes is his mentality, he has not switched from his Eveton mentality to realising he is managing one of probably the biggest 5 clubs on the planet. That for me, does not make him a bad coach however, just one who needs to change his outlook and do it fast. Roberto Martinez is receiving plaudits aplenty for Everton's performances this year. It is however to me highly unlikely that Everton will finish above 5th meaning he has only matched Moyes' best seasons. Let's not forget Moyes have been voted manager of the year in the past. Martinez is however going about things differently, trying to win matches where Moyes would have settled for a draw even if it amounts to a net sum game. My point is that Moyes is still taking that drab approach to matches which simply won't do for United. That's why he got nothing out of Kagawa and could also struggle with Mata, he needs to be far bolder. I honestly don't think Ferguson being around is the problem, it's been a confluence of factors but the biggest immediate one and the one that can be remedied straight away is Moyes tactics, he needs to be bolder and more flexible and understand the players he has. He spent 37M on Juan Mata, has basically said he'll be his 'No10'. That's a diminutive central attacking midfielder basically with RVP and Rooney ahead of you, two wonderfully technically gifted players. So what do you do, stick in 81 crosses. That's what you do if you have Peter Crouch and Andy Carroll upfront wiith Kevin Nolan in behind them. Mr Moyes, wake up, change your sodding tactics.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
As a Liverpool fan, there is no problem with Ferguson appointing Moyes as his replacement. As has been alluded to, the management of Liverpool under Shankly had a similar process in the "Boot Room", where Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran were all part of Bill Shankly's coaching staff. Does that mean that one of Mike Phelan or Rene Meulensteen should have got the job at Man U? Probably not, but Moyes' biggest error was to discard them in favour of his old Everton coaching staff. While Phil Neville is a Man U product, his recent years were still spent at a team struggling to enter the discussion for trophies. Like Liverpool and Arsenal, Manchester United is a historical club built on its trophy cabinet. The concerning aspect is how surprised people are at United's current plight. There is no doubt Ferguson left a team that needed refreshing, and he was right to leave it to Moyes to build the team as he wished. However, both he and the new CEO Ed Woodward were terrible in the summer window in only bringing in Fellaini when other reinforcements were needed. While Juan Mata is an outstanding player who will contribute to United, like Mesut Ozil at Arsenal, I am not sure that is what United needed. Not that I want to dispense advice on how to help Manchester United (still a Liverpool fan), the team badly needs a dominant centre back pairing, of which there is a real dearth of talent at the moment. And the other thing they need is a midfielder that can compliment Michael Carrick. Their strikeforce looks fine, and I dont question their ability to score goals. But the other thing they need is to revamp their youth system. That is the unspoken attribute behind Liverpool's current success in how Rafa Benitez revamped Melwood and brought a fresh focus on youth development. Rodgers is now reaping the rewards with players like Kelly, Flanagan, Sterling, Ibe (with others like Suso and Robinson doing well on loan at the moment) reinforcing the club's stars like Suarez, Gerrard and Sturridge. Anyway, hope Manchester United continue to struggle, but that is what they need if they are to get back to their previous heights.
bill boomer
Guest
I said at the time that the blowhard over the shoulder would be trouble. Agree with fadida that plumface appointing his successor was staggering. Whatever happens Moyes will not last, his ever more shrill post match press conferences are cringe worthy.
fadida
Guest
Very true. It shows that SFC are not the only club making poor off field decisions. I'm truly staggered that United allowed Ferguson to appoint his successor. Staggered....
Midfielder
Guest
Excellent article ...
Swampy
Guest
An excellent article. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
The reason Shankly was moved on by Liverpool is that he began attending training sessions when Paisley was in charge. Eventually Shankly came around to the idea that he probably should have stayed away from the team. I really think that Ferguson should move on entirely from the club.