The United adventure has begun for David Moyes

Moyes: The fans need to be patient with him

After a below par to a near bizarre pre-season, the premier league bow for the new United boss, David Moyes could not have been sweeter. Two brilliantly taken goals from the world-class Van Persie, and Danny Welbeck overtaking his last season’s league goal tally in some style against a determined Swansea side provided the perfect start to life without Sir Alex Ferguson for the Red Devils. The Community Shield might have been the first competitive game for Moyes but it’s the league where he will be scrutinised the most. And he scored full-marks on his league debut.

Sir Alex Ferguson, before his Knighthood days, had succumbed to a 2-0 loss away at Manor Ground against an obsolete Oxford United in his first game in-charge of Manchester United. So Moyes has already gone one up against his illustrious predecessor. But to continue United’s stronghold in the Premier League and be re-instated as a European powerhouse will still need time and patience on part of the fans and the board. The six-year contract is an indication in the positive direction from the board and the fans need to share a similar long-term vision.

Despite being disappointing on the transfer front, the ambition shown by the new Scottish Manager has been commendable at the least. With still a few-weeks remaining before the summer-transfer window closes, Moyes can ease away the anxieties of the fans by signing a much needed combative box-to-box midfielder. With prospects of that happening looking bleak, Moyes has to do what Ferguson was best at; to get the best out of the available resources.

With chances of Wayne Rooney staying back still in murky waters, the rest of the squad remaining largely unchanged has been a big boost for the gaffer. Antonio Valencia looks to be improving on his last season’s disastrous outing. Welbeck seems to have found his scoring boots. And after not having such a productive pre-season, Robin Van Persie seems to be on fire after scoring four in two competitive matches. If he remains fit and can maintain his scoring spree, Moyes has every chance of lifting that coveted Premier League trophy for the first time in his highly creditable, if not magnificent managerial career.

Retaining Nani can turn out to be a huge lift if the unpredictable winger can reproduce his best form on a consistent basis. Anderson has been appearing more frequently, but his consistency and fitness still resemble a sine wave. Moyes seems to have a similar interest in development of youth like Sir Alex and also the great Sir Matt Busby, which means United’s culture of grooming the youth into future stars should remain intact. Adnan Janujaz looks the most gifted of the lot followed by Jesse Lingaard and Wilfried Zaha. With all the hoopla surrounding Zaha and inevitable comparisons being made with Ronaldo, he has to be handled with care and not let bogged down by pressure. He is not a starter yet, and has lots to learn from the likes of much experienced Valencia and Nani.

The usage of Shinji Kagawa would prove a key factor in adding more quality in the final-third as his off-the-ball intelligence and ability to pick passes in confined spaces can bolster the United attack especially through the centre as United are traditional users of the wide areas for most of their attacks.

The adventure has started for David Moyes and to get two assists out of a dis-interested Rooney is no mean feat. With the midfield looking susceptible and the Ferdinand-Vidic pairing struggling against the test of time, Moyes needs to conjure upon his motivational powers to get the most out of a talented but fragile squad. With Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea next on the fixture list the new gaffer has a chance to prove that his managerial acumen has gone up a notch higher as his Manchester United adventure carries on.