Report Card: David Moyes' United

So the question that needs to be asked is, Is the Man Utd job too big for David Moyes ? Those are big shoes for anyone to fill. But if Moyes has to succeed at United he will have to employ a different attitude. Against Chelsea and Liverpool, Moyes played 4-2-3-1 but went for hard working wingers, wingers who would attack and, help defensively, instead of going for a creative one. United were solid defensively, where United lacked was penetration in the final third. United faced the same problem with Liverpool as well.

They gave away a silly goal that was well taken by Liverpool. But failed to carve out a single chance in the whole match. Most importantly, United need to unearth the gem called Kagawa that they have in their arsenal. In Kagawa, United have a potentially deadly creative player who can create as well as score a butt-load of goals, but he is either played out of position or isn’t given enough run of games to prove his worth. That needs to change.

Against their neighbours Manchester City, United just didn’t turn up. They looked dispirited and lacked inspiration and gave away goals at crucial junctures. It was only after they were 4-0 down, that they started responding. Tackles flying all over the place, everybody wanting the ball more, that’s when the desire was visible for the first time after Moyes took charge of United. United created a lot of chances, Rooney scored a brilliant free kick and United defended solidly, but the damage was already done, it was far too late by then.

Adnan Januzaj celebrating his goal with club stalwarts Van Persie and Michael Carrick

United had been pushed to the back and were hurt badly. The United that everyone knows always responds whenever they face such situations. But things had changed. United in the next league match against a West Brom side who haven’t started well particularly, lost 1-2 at home. The problems were the same lack of creativity in the final third and silly defending. It is important to notice that United have always been a side who teams fear, especially in the last 10-15 minutes because of their ability to turn games around and grind out a result.

It was the desire with which they played under Sir Alex, the will to win even when things did not work on their favour, and add to that his shrewd substitutions. That’s how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Javier Hernandez earned their reputations of being called super subs.

Ferguson was a true psychic. He knew how to influence people and he did it to United’s advantage. Whether it be influencing the match officials, or affecting the opposition or protecting his players. He did it well. Moyes has to learn from his mistakes. And he is learning well. Against Sunderland he trusted his guts and gave Adnan Januzaj a full debut and he didn’t disappoint. Capping off a brilliant debut with 2 goals, the second of which was a gem of a goal.

United, under Moyes, lack the killer instinct. He has to take a page of Sir Alex’s book when it comes to using substitutions and Moyes has to realize its Manchester United that he is managing, not Everton. With all due to respect to Everton, managing Everton and United are two different ball games.

Against big teams at United, you don’t look to settle for a draw or play defensive by going for defensively solid wingers. You go for the kill. You play your natural game. The Sunderland game has done a world of good for Moyes, as he has shown glimpses of what he can do at United. All he needs is time to understand the system and support from his team and the fans all over the world.

All the fans need to get behind the team no matter what the result is. Things will eventually fall into place. After all for a change, being an underdog doesn’t hurt. And being undermined or being called second favourites has its own perks.