Manchester United After Sir Alex Ferguson – The Moyesey Era

Manchester United fans display a banner, in appreciation of their new manager David Moyes, during the Barclays Premier League match vs. Chelsea at Old Trafford on August 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

Being a Manchester United supporter, this comes as a bitter pill to swallow. It is necessary but extremely difficult to digest.

After 26 years of devoted and excellent service, the ‘Boss’ hung up his marker in favour for an administrative position at the world’s most popular club. Granted I wasn’t even born when he bred the class of ’92 or won his first trophy, but I will always admire him for his devotion and persistence.

As soon as Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement, many began to wonder who would dare to succeed the man with the most difficult job in football. Who would fill the shoes of the longest-serving football manager in the history of the English game? And who would uphold his great?

Two names in two completely different categories cropped up – the obvious choice was Jose Mourinho. Unsatisfied with his exploits at Real Madrid, he was being touted to replace Ferguson at United rather than move back home to Chelsea.

And the other rather odd but yet perfect choice was David Moyes. The long-serving manager of Everton, who coincidentally became the first club to hand United their first opening game loss at the start of the 2012-13 Premier League season in nearly 20 years.

While we all thought the Portuguese would reign supreme, Fergie decided to do a ‘Fergie’ and personally elevate Moyes, a fellow Scot. Moyes began his duties as United manager by making Ryan Giggs player-coach and his former captain at Everton, Phil Neville and his ‘Toffees’ coaching staff – Chris Woods, Jimmy Lumsden and Steve Round part of his dream.

Post match press conferences will continue to be the same with the heavy Scottish accent ringing in journalists’ ears, the touchline will see a younger Scot screaming at his players to get a move on, and Wayne Rooney reunited with his former manager.

Of course while United non-supporters will say that Moyes has no European experience, but the former Preston North End man brings a fresh and spirited energy to the squad – actually participates in training – and looks fit to boot. There is no doubt that United will miss the bespectacled, constant gum-chewing, hand-tapping-watch ‘Boss’ but change is inevitable – the only constant so to speak of.

Four competitive games in (2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss), an easy Champions League draw (whichever way you wish to look at it) and the signing his former Everton bulldozer (in some sense) Marouane Fellaini has created mixed feelings amongst United fans.

Some, like me, believe that Moyes indeed needs time to settle himself and truly prove his worth amongst the elite clubs of Europe. And while the lack of transfer signings was mainly because of only one specific need – to replace the irreplaceable Paul Scholes – we still need to pay heed to Fergie’s last words as manager of United.

“You trusted me all these years, now support the new manager when he begins.”

There are also those who clamour for signings and big names, which we actually do not need. Mesut Ozil might have been a great signing indeed, but with Shinji Kagawa and Rooney who can play in the same position as the German international, why would we have needed him?

In the end, the season has barely begun, the transfer window closed for another three months and the Champions League to begin soon. We haven’t seen what Moyes can do with a full squad (on a shoe-string budget). Let’s place the judgement at the end of the season, shall we?