Manchester United fans should feel positive about next season

David Moyes will be hungry for success at Manchester United.

It’s the start of a new era at Old Trafford, where wholesale changes have taken place right across the backroom staff to the executive board, and of all the changes that have happened during this renaissance period at Manchester United, the most likely to affect their immediate future next season is the stepping down of the most successful manager in British football history.

No doubt they have got a very apt and worthy man in charge in the form of David Moyes, but still for sure, the change in guard at United will certainly lessen the fear, and rather infuse confidence amongst the Red Devils’s opponents.

Having said that, however, does not undermine United’s chances of retaining their title at all. Because, even though United won the title last season at a canter, the only thing that can happen to the champions this season is getting better.

The defense, with Vidic back to full fitness at the start of the season, is expected to improve considerably from last season, when they were shipping goals for fun. However, it was not entirely due to defense that United were conceding so many goals , as there were too many gaps in the midfield which were ably exploited by the opposition.

And therefore, the first thing that Moyes needs to resurrect at Manchester United is their inconsistent midfield, where apart from Carrick, who had an outstanding season, no one really complemented him alongside with enough consistency. Moyes seems to have identified this problem, and has already stated that he wants to strengthen the midfield by bringing in a quality midfielder.

This season also promises to be a big one for United youngsters – Cleverley, Welbeck, Januzaj, Lingard, Powell and Zaha – who are hungry for further success and game time, and would also want to stamp their authority in the first team.

Januzaj, Lingard and Zaha have already shown their potential in the pre-season tour so far, and are knocking on the door for a regular place in the team. This should create a very healthy competition amongst the players within the team, wherein, no one can take their place for granted.

And talking of potential, Shinji Kagawa, after showing glimpses of his talent in the injury-laden last season, is also expected to showcase his real abilities this term. David Moyes has already spoken about how highly Sir Alex himself regarded the Japanese, and therefore, there is no doubting his talent. However, he needs to prove that in the coming season, and that should keep the manager and the fans excited.

Besides midfield, another disappointing aspect of United last season was their wing play. Nani, Valencia and Young – all failed to fulfill their potential and had a below par season.

United have traditionally produced some great wingers while playing 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 during Sir Alex’s reign, and looking at how Moyes has set up his teams during the pre-season, it seems he is also sticking to the recipe that United have feasted upon for the last couple of decades. The performances of Wilfried Zaha, Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj in the pre-season has showed United fans a glimmer of hope for their wing play in the upcoming season.

Another important and major aspect that could have a real impact in the league for United this season is how they handle Wayne Rooney. They simply cannot afford to sell him to Chelsea,because, no matter if he had put in a transfer request or not, lets just accept it, on his day, he is almost unplayable.

Those days were really few and far in between last season, but if you remember his performances against City away and Arsenal at home, and hope he can showcase those with consistency in the coming season, then you just cannot think of letting him go, let alone to your direct rival.

And if United, already linked with moves for Fabregas and Bale, can add to an already formidable squad boasting of a perfect blend of youth and experience, there is no reason why United fans should not be looking at the start of another successful era under David Moyes.

Sir Alex might have gone, and United’s rivals may now take it easy and look upon them as a team in transition, but they will do so at their own peril.

The greatest aspect of Sir Alex Ferguson was his hunger for success, and if you replace him with a man who has been in the top flight for more than a decade and has not yet tasted success, and make him realize the sumptuous meal of accolades that he can now feast upon, then you are just adding fuel to that decade long burning hunger, which should certainly blow anything that comes in the vicinity.