Sir Alex Ferguson's legacy, David Moyes' albatross

The difference that half a year can make. The humor would not be totally lost to suggest that Manchester United fans were in tears then at Sir Alex’s inevitable yet shocking retirement and they continue to weep as records are broken at Old Trafford, and the once invincible Red bastion has been laid vulnerable. Sir Alex’s final decision, and perhaps his most crucial was his ringing endorsement of David Moyes, much to the delight of the Red Devils’ rivals. For even though the Scot brought with him virtues of stability, tactical awareness and a penchant for promoting players from the academy – virtues that were revered at Old Trafford, critics of the man pointed fingers at his (lack of) winning pedigree and possessing a mid-table mentality. Therein lay the start of his troubles. The banner might have declared him ‘The Chosen One’ but David Moyes was never fully embraced, worse, never fully accepted by the United faithful.

That the fortunes of the club have taken a turn for the worse this season is a no-brainer. That this was the same squad which had romped to the title in the previous season is also indisputable. What then has led to the reigning champions firmly entrenched in a scrap for that coveted Champions League spot? Is it as the media and public outrage suggest, David Moyes and his lack of pedigree? Or is there someone else who should shoulder that blame? When Sir Alex handed over the reins to Moyes, for all the world, it looked like a champion steed, a thorough-bred winner. The margin of victory glossed over what has been a recurring theme centered around the club since that day in Rome in 2009 when Barcelona outpassed, outran and outclassed Manchester United in the middle of the park.

For all his tactical nous, man-management skills and ability to unearth talents, Sir Alex’s greatest folly was to never fully address the issue of the midfield since Roy Keane‘s retirement. Nor is it simple to reconcile with his decision to stick with Patrice Evra, a fullback who has been consistently found wanting in his positioning and spatial awareness over the better part of the last three seasons. The regular supply of trophies meant that all was forgotten as Old Trafford continued to witness celebrations and fond memories. Couple that with a squad that has been aging and a lack of genuine replacements – a sure recipe for strife. And it is that with his final act, that Fergie left Moyes. A ship with glossy paint covering up the creaky, rotting core. With a majority of the squad at or past their prime, several bright prospects let go and a genuine talent left scorned, Sir Alex surely deserves the blame for walking away and washing his hands off the club, a club that he left on the brink of collapse.

Well, of course nobody thought that six months ago. Not when Moyes arrived at Carrington on the first of July. The hope was still there, although with passing weeks, and a lack of transfer activity bar the exit of key members of the coaching staff and numerous whimsical bids by the new vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, ebbed away the positivity. Therein lies the second person culpable for the club’s failures this season. With rivals Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and yes, shockingly, even Arsenal strengthening big, much was expected from the Red Devils. The first false dawn, the first of many this season. Early performances suggested a race to fourth. Six months later, they are firmly entrenched in a battle for Europe. Frustratingly, any inkling of recovery and progress is wiped out by another set of disappointing results, one step forward, three points dropped. A trend that has defined their season.

They say trouble often begin with stirrings of discontent at home. That cannot be truer for Moyes’ men. Shambolic performances at Old Trafford, once an intimidating fortress, now a playground to toy with the Devils, have been the root cause for the decline. The team put out always displays an air of insecurity, nervousness and a lack of confidence and imagination in possession. Consistently outshone by their much lesser opponents, records have fallen at Old Trafford, records that no United fan should take pride in.

Amidst all the misery, the bright spark has of course been young Adnan Januzaj. Credit must be given to Moyes for putting his faith and trust on a hitherto untested Belgian. Or one of five other possible nationalities. Hindsight and contrition lead to the question that every United fan has on their mind but few would ask it, for the fear of being ridiculed for questioning Sir Alex’s decision – would Paul Pogba have been the answer to Roy Keane? What if he had been given the opportunity that he so desperately craved for but never got, even in the midst of an injury crisis that saw Park and Rafael deployed in midfield as Pogba sat on the benches, watching.

With nearly half the January transfer window gone and Moyes’ gloomy statement on rumored arrivals, Manchester United are on course for what is surely their most turbulent season in a long, long time. The board have shown great character in their backing of the under-fire manager, perhaps a silent admission of their guilt over the dealings in the summer. With Fergie watching on in the stands, a hurting team and a raging fan base look to their manager. Will David Moyes get the albatross off his neck or will Ferguson’s legacy forever loom large over Old Trafford and cast a shadow like Don Revie’s did on Brian Clough.

Samuel Coleridge Taylor’s The Rime of the Ancient Marnier seems apt to describe the feelings of Old Trafford’s guardian.