5 reasons why Manchester United sacked David Moyes

Manchester United finally put an end to David Moyes misery by sacking him earlier today and putting club legend Ryan Giggs as interim-manager. The most successful English side are set to finish outside the top four for the first time in the history of the Premier League.Whilst many admitted that this would be a transitional season for United, going from League Champions to a side that is seventh with 3 games to go isnt transition, it is free fall.Here are five reasons why United finally decided to cut their losses and sack Moyes before the end of the season.

#5 Record against top sides

Six points out of a possible 36 against the top-six sides is simply a continuation of his dreadful record against the top clubs whilst at Everton. Having never won a game at Anfield, Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford as Everton manager, Moyes did little to suggest that that was going to change as United manager.

A tally of just 3 goals against the current top five is simply unacceptable, especially at Manchester United. Humiliating home defeats at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool tell their own story. Consistently outplayed by the top teams in the land, Moyes gave the United hierarchy little choice but to sack him.

After all, how are United supposed to come back strong next season, if they fail against every top-side they come up against?

#4 Failure to tap into knowhow of old guard

Over the course of the season, several experienced veterans voiced their displeasure over David Moyes’ credentials. His handling of the Wayne Rooney saga was the only good thing about his man-management of the seasoned veterans at the club.

Whilst Moyes has strongly denied any claims that he had fallen out with any player, the stats are there for all to see.

Although the season has been marred by injuries, something that cannot be denied is the fact that, Moyes has seemingly ostracized the club’s loyal servants.

So much so that club captain Nemanja Vidic is off to Internazionale at the end of the season and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand join him out of Old Trafford. His over-training of Van Persie meant that he has been injured often and his future is shrouded in doubt.

His biggest mistake of all, has been the surprising disappearance of Ryan Giggs from the thick of things. The Welsh wizard has rarely featured on the pitch this season, and whilst that might well be because of his age, off the pitch as well the Welshman’s omission is somewhat surprising given his cult status at the club.

Now that is a lot of experience and know-how that Moyes has failed to tap into.

#3 Terrible transfer dealings

A disastrous summer transfer window that saw United chase Cesc Fabregas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leighton Baines and Ander Herrara, but end up paying over the odds for Marouane Fellaini, didn’t make things easy for Moyes. Even when he signed Juan Mata for a club-record fee of £37.1 million, many wondered why he signed yet another No.10 when he already had Kagawa and Rooney to choose from.

Whilst Chief Executive Ed Woodward is also partly to blame for this, his relative inexperience meant that Moyes had to take the initiative, which he failed to do. Throughout the season, he has been on several, supposed “scouting trips” but that has brought nothing but a small dent to the club’s coffers.

Whilst it is true that a large summer war chest was being readied by the Glazers, with figures ranging from £100m - 300m, depending on which source you read, the truth is that Moyes has no experience of handling that kind of transfer budget.

The Scot has also shown no reasons as to why he should be trusted with that amount of cash. Also, it is hard to see the likes of Toni Kroos or William Carvalho clamoring to play for Moyes.

All of which forced United’s hand, especially when there is a summer of massive overhaul that is needed.

#2 Horrible home form

At Old Trafford, United have accumulated just 24 points from 16 games and are on course for their lowest home points tally in the Premier League era. United have a worse home record than Hull City and Crystal Palace- two sides who have been fighting all season long to stave off relegation.

The Red Devils have scored just 22 goals at home, a record that is worse than West Ham and Swansea and level with West Brom, again, sides that are currently battling to avoid relegation. United don’t just have a poor record against the big sides, even likes of West Brom and Newcastle have beaten United at home.

Long barren runs without victory at Old Trafford is not the norm, and has clearly played a massive role in United's position in the table.

Old Trafford has quickly turned from the Theatre of Dreams into the Theatre of Nightmares for David Moyes. What was once an unbreachable fortress has now turned into a run-down building whose foundations are very creaky.

#1 Lack of clear identity

It is not just the results that made life difficult for Moyes, but the performances in those results. There is no shame in losing to a better side, but to be consistently outplayed by any half-decent side, without any clear aim or style of play was something that the Old Trafford faithful never predicted.

After the 2-2 home draw against Fulham, a game in which United put in 81 crosses, of which only 18 were successful, Fulham defender Dan Burn said he had "not headed that many balls since the Conference". After the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, Gary Neville remarked that United “have an identity crisis" at the moment and that “they need to have a rethink about where they are going.”

There has been a lack of variety and subtlety in United's attacking play throughout the season. Even with the likes of Kagawa, Mata, Januzaj and Rooney, United have been unable to penetrate with precision on the wings or through the middle.

There seemed to be no bigger picture, no hope to cling onto for next season. And that, was the final nail in the coffin for David Moyes and the end of his brief tenure in charge of the World’s most popular football club.