5 things David Moyes can do to instantly improve Manchester United's fortunes

Use substitutions wisely

Against Southampton, Evans and Jones started in the centre of defense. United played well against a Southampton team that has started the season strongly, and the home team looked good value to keep a clean sheet and hang on for three points.

What did Moyes do? He first removed Fellaini and brought on Welbeck in the 76′. At a time when Southampton were dominating possession, it seemed crazy to bring off the defensive midfielder and bring on a striker. Perhaps Moyes wanted to give his players an option to clear the ball and counter on the break through Welbeck’s pace, yet that is still no reason to remove Fellaini.

The next substitution saw Smalling come on for Rooney in the 87′. Jones is then asked to move into the defensive midfield role so that Smalling can go to CB. This disrupts the Evans-Jones partnership which had played really well till then. Two minutes later, in the 89′ minute, Lallana scores from a simple ball into box, with Jones unsure of who he is marking. Moyes’s substitution and directions created chaos, which is what led to the equaliser.

The same pattern can be found in the match against Manchester City, where United were thoroughly outplayed. At 4-0 down in the 51′, Moyes brought on Cleverly for Young – a move which enabled United to at least control possession even if that possession was sterile. Yet, after City retreated and absorbed the pressure, the match was crying out for an attacker to be brought on for one final push.

Sure, United would probably have not won or even drawn the game after being down 4-0. But if Kagawa, Nani and Hernandez are waiting on the bench, surely one or two of them could be brought on, to change things up. Maybe perhaps fire a last salvo and salvage pride?

Instead, Moyes made no further changes, presumably happy with the result. And City saw the game out.

Maybe this is nitpicking, but Moyes’s substitutions often leave fans scratching their heads, unsure what to make of them. The substitutions are not confidence-inspiring and instead have damaged the team considerably. Wiser use of substitutions could be one way to improve the team’s standing.