David Moyes: Judging too soon?

11 official games, 6 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses is a start not many people should be crying about if one is supporting a team aiming for no trophies, just Europa league or maybe 4^th place in the league. It’s definitely not a start that can get a team jeered at the end of a game or get people to call for sacking of their manager.

Unfortunately, this is exactly the case in David Moyes’ reign so far. 11 games: 7 in the league, 1 in Community Shield, 1 in League Cup and 2 in Champions League have led to a certain section of supporters waiting to jeer the team’s performance after their loss against West Bromwich Albion.

But is it Moyes’ fault actually? Without taking any credit away from the quality of players, United is not the kind of a side that will get people to say, “Woah! What a side!”

It’s a side that is just good enough for top 4 finish in the league, considering the present level of competition in the league and maybe a quarter final finish in UCL. People need to start accepting the fact that what Sir Alex Ferguson developed at Manchester United was the type of team to suit his tactics, his methods. He knew the traits of every player when he signed them and every signing had a reason behind it.

History is the biggest proof of this fact that after a very long managerial reign, teams are most likely to fall, by how much depends on the level of similarity of tactics between the two managers. The three longest serving managers for United were the only three to win the league for the Old Trafford side and what has been common for the first two reigns has been the fact that they were no more the same deadly side that could compete for the league title any more.

Although the team hit rock bottom exactly 5 seasons after the reign ended for the 1^st two league winning managers, Ernst Mangnall and Sir Matt Busby, with relegation, this definitely does not seem to be the case this time around.

The end of a highly successful reign almost inevitably leads to tremendous rise in fan’s expectations and impatience to get immediate results is all that matters today. Everyone saw that in case of Avram Grant, Rafa Benitez, Tito Vilanova and the list goes on.

One of the contributing factors to the added pressure on Moyes has been the players’ under-performance. Apart from Rooney and Adnan Janujaz who is still being judged on only 1 game, every player has been a flop till now. The once rock solid defence is vulnerable. The midfield is still bad. And to make matters worse, strikers aren’t helping Moyes’ case either. Robin van Persie, whose praises were sung as the deadliest striker since Ruud van Nistelrooy, has lost his scoring boots.

Another reason for poor performances from The Red Devils has got to be the team selection. Over-dependence on England nationals: Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young over much better players like Shinji Kagawa, Rafael, Javier Hernandez is not helping his case too. And add to that list, a poor summer. Every person in the world knew about the quality of United’s midfield or perhaps the lack of it, but still the only signing that was done was Marouane Fellaini who has had just one stellar season with The Toffees.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United looks dejected after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on September 28, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

What Moyes needs to do is stick to one plan. Like Ferguson based his entire game on possession and tiring his opponent in the first 80 minutes to pave the way for a knockout blow to the opponent in the dying minutes, Moyes needs to decide his way of knocking their opponent out.