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Having already lost five games this season and getting off to the worst start in over a decade, things haven’t gone according to plan for David Moyes and Manchester United. The reigning champions have looked far from convincing so far this season and injuries haven’t helped their cause at all. So, what can Moyes do to turn things around and get United’s season back on track?
Settle on the back four
One of United’s strong suits over the Premier League years, has been their defense. Although United have always remained true to their history by playing an attacking game, they have always had a solid back five. In the season they won the Champions League, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were arguably the best center back pairing in the world and the Red devils have always had a firm foundation on which they build their attack.
Last season, when they won the League, they conceded 43 goals, but that was the aberration because, in Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney, they had two genuine goal scorers, and were in intent on outscoring the opposition. At this stage last season, they had let in 21 goals, as supposed to 19 this time around. But, the stark contrast is in the amount of goals that they have scored, as they have managed 15 goals fewer than at this stage last season. So, when the strikers aren’t getting the goals, their defense has been laid bare. And playing Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand, in various combinations, without giving any two players a consistent run-out, hasn’t helped.
With the return of Vidic from injury, Moyes would do well to pair him alongside Jonny Evans, who has been United’s standout defender so far this season and give the pair a run of games and let some consistency creep in. Because, as they say attack wins you matches, but it is the defense that wins you the Championship and so far this season, the defense has looked far from that.
Play players in their natural position
Another main criticism levied upon Moyes is the fact that he doesn’t play players in their natural position. It was never more evident than in the game against Newcastle. Having started with Nani and Januzaj on both wings, he ended up playing in their unnatural side, with Nani, a right footer playing on the left and Januzaj, a left footer playing on the right. And although playing inside-out wingers has been the latest tactical trend in European football, one should first consider if the players can play that way.
Nani has always been more effective on the right hand side and it was when he was played on the left by Sir Alex Ferguson that he had most of his off-days. And it wasn’t until half-time that Moyes realized that and made them switch places. And when they did, both of them looked far more effective and Januzaj, looked like a world-beater once again, as he had the confidence go past his man and cross it with his left foot.
Another player, who has been constantly played out of position, is Shinji Kagawa. From not playing him at all, at the start of the campaign, to playing him out wide, Moyes, hasn’t really made the best use of the Japanese playmaker. It is no wonder that United’s best performance so far this season, away at Leverkusen, came when Kagawa played behind Rooney in his more natural No 10 role. And although Moyes can’t sign anyone until January, playing players in their proper position, would go a long way towards shifting the tide in Moyes’s favor.
Be Bold and throw caution to the wind
Before coming to Manchester United, David Moyes made a name for himself as Everton’s main man and for the most of his tenure, the toffees were punching above their weight, considering the amount of money they had spent. Moyes’s Everton were solid at the back and at times were criticized for their negative approach. But Moyes knew that he did what he had to do, unfortunately, for the Scot, he still carries a “small club” mentality, even though he is at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
After the game against Cardiff, Moyes said that he was happy with a point and that Cardiff was a difficult place to go to. Whilst that may certainly be true, Moyes is at Manchester United, where every game is a must-win game. He can’t afford to let slip of the winning mentality that has served them well, for the past two decades. Moyes has to learn to throw caution to the wind and be bold, in terms of his substitutions.
After all, he is at Manchester United, a club that is renowned for their ability to relentlessly pursue lost causes and never give up, in the face of any adversity. Moyes would do well to keep the attacking philosophy of the club going and reinvigorate a squad, which is short on confidence by sticking to tradition and going for broke.
