David Moyes: Why patience is needed

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: Ashley Young (L), Wayne Rooney (R) and manager David Moyes of Manchester United in action during a training session ahead of their Champions League Group A match against Shakhtar Donetsk at their Carrington Training Complex on October 01, 2013 in Manchester, England (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)

David Moyes has been under fire recently as Manchester United have failed to hit the ground running this footballing season. Comparisons which were being made between him and Sir Alex Ferguson at the time of his appointment are being laughed at and their similarities are said to end at their country of origin. His detractors claim that he has neither the tactical finesse nor the overpowering and all conquering charisma that Sir Alex possessed.

As a United fan, I totally agree. David Moyes is no Alex Ferguson. But, neither is Jose Mourinho. Nor is Pep Guardiola. No one is. Sir Alex Ferguson was one of a kind, an aberration, a freak of nature, who can’t be and won’t be replicated, end of story. So when so called United fans abuse and mock David Moyes , they should keep this in mind and give him the time and patience which allowed Sir Alex to become the colossus that he was.

Manchester United is a club in transition, and this statement can clearly be seen in the recent selection dilemma Moyes has been facing. He has more than capable players for each position but the right combination is still missing. The squad is also a work in progress. The midfield is still light, defenders with exception on Nemanja Vidic appear to be either too old or too inexperienced. On the wings, Young and Valencia seem to have lost their touch. Nani and Shinji Kagawa though promising so far have not shown a level at which their selection would be guaranteed. Danny Welbeck’s inability to finish and Chicharito’s inability to lead a teams attack for 90 minutes also remains a major problem.

The situations at the other clubs are not that promising either. Jose Mourinho has not had the best of homecomings and Manuel Pellegrini too appears in a bind over at Maine Road. Only Arsenal among the ‘Big Four’ clubs have had the kind of superlative start that was perhaps expected by the other three giants.

The question arises, what? What have Arsenal done so different that has made them top the table and led them to five victories in six matches. For most people, the answer seems to be just one player: Mezut Ozil. For me though, the answer is different. Arsene Wenger has the advantage of being at Arsenal for over 17 years. He knows the club inside out. Moyes, on the other hand has already agreed that he is yet to completely recognise what each player brings to the table. He is playing with a squad built by another manager.

Moyes has to phase out seniors, blood youngsters and decide which players can help make a winning squad and which players are simply dead weight and frankly, three months is all too short a time for such drastic measures. What is encouraging though, is the support he has received from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United had to wait three years before Ferguson finally won them a trophy.

Are we ready to extend the courtesy to Moyes for one?