'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When Sir Alex Ferguson announced his decision to retire as Manchester United manager in May, fans of the club knew there would be tough times ahead. Even so, most did not expect them to be quite this tough.
Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, has overseen United’s worst ever start to a Premier League season. However, despite losing three of their opening 10 fixtures and dropping points at home against West Brom and Southampton, the team are still only three points off second place. Manchester City, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool have all been inconsistent and Ferguson’s recent suggestion that the champions are likely to require under 80 points to win the league looks more astute by the day.
Arsenal visit Old Trafford on Sunday with the home side underdogs for the first time in seven years. Arsene Wenger’s team, inspired by Mesut Ozil, are five points clear at the top of the table but pundits are reluctant to suggest they have a squad capable of winning the title. After a relatively simple opening set of fixtures, Wenger will be hoping his players can silence some critics on the weekend.
For Moyes, the game is a crucial one. During his first home game as United boss, he was too conservative against a decidedly average Chelsea and had to make do with a goalless draw. At Liverpool, though neither team was particularly inspiring, United only managed one chance of note in the entire 90 minutes. The Anfield club were later bested at Old Trafford in the Capital One Cup but Moyes is yet to triumph against one of the traditional big four in the league and it is high time he got a result to reassure the fans this season will be about more than simply transition.
In recent weeks, Moyes seems to have curbed some of his more defensive instincts. His decision to replace Wayne Rooney with Chris Smalling late on against Southampton was almost immediately followed by United conceding a goal and throwing away two points. Against Stoke the following weekend, attacking changes resulted in Moyes’ team turning the game around and winning 3-2. Positive performances against Norwich and Fulham followed and, against weaker opposition at least, the new manager seems willing to adopt a somewhat cavalier approach.
United fans will be hoping the trend continues against Arsenal and the team manage their ninth consecutive game unbeaten. Indeed, if they can secure a much-needed victory, there will be an air of optimism around Old Trafford. And that has not been a common feature of the Moyes era so far.
