Sir Alex Ferguson Comments on David Moyes and Manchester United's Future
Sunday, 2 March 2014
Manchester United manager David Moyes has endured a wretched
start to his managerial career at Old Trafford, with the 2-0 defeat at
Olympiakos the latest in a worryingly long line of reverses.
Whilst Moyes must shoulder the blame for the Red Devils'
spectacular fall from grace, predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson has once again leapt
to the defence of his fellow Scot.
According to Mark Ogden of The Telegraph, Sir Alex, whilst
not effusive in his praise, put a positive spin on Moyes' reign:
“They (United) will be all right. It's early days and there
have been a lot of changes.
He (Moyes) needs time. I was there for 27 years, so with a
new manager, it takes time.
But they'll be OK.”
To count on someone who so obviously still holds sway in the
Old Trafford corridors of power is but a small crumb of comfort for Moyes, in
the midst of another disastrous run for United.
Just three wins in the last 12 in all competitions, per
WhoScored.com, must be urgently addressed, with the big matches still coming
thick and fast.
Over the course of the next five games, United host in-form
and free-scoring Liverpool and Manchester City, whilst also looking to turn
around the two-goal deficit against the Greeks.
Perhaps defeat in those matches will lead to more calls for
Moyes' head, but it's entirely refreshing to find the club willing to stick
with the manager despite the pressure to do otherwise.
Of course, it's not the first time that Sir Alex has spoken
up on behalf of Moyes. James Robson of the Manchester Evening News noted
Ferguson's comments from as far back as October:
“When clubs sack managers there is no evidence that it
works.
There is good evidence from people like myself, Arsene
Wenger and Brian Clough that stay for long periods can look ahead and plan
because players know who the manager is.
The manager who is consistent in his position at the club
does better. Changing manager regularly doesn’t help.
David Moyes was at Everton for 10 years. There’s evidence
that sticking with a manager does help.”
It should perhaps be taken into account that Wayne Rooney,
for example, hasn't exactly covered himself in glory. Just a single goal this
year in all competitions is a return hardly worthy of a new contract at a
reported £300,000 per week, per BBC Sport.
Robin van Persie has fared better in the goalscoring stakes,
but his demeanour is beginning to grate on his team-mates. A thinly veiled
attack on the Dutchman from Javier Hernandez via his Instagram account will
have done nothing for morale.
It's another potential flashpoint that Moyes can do without,
and in times of crisis it's said you find out who your real friends are.
David Moyes will be thanking his lucky stars that he
has Sir Alex Ferguson fighting his corner
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