David Moyes: Why Manchester United have not lost their magic

Under fire, but determined and focused: David Moyes

Approximately four months ago I sat down writing how Moyes was the man for Manchester United, and nearly four months on I still maintain that view. In regards to Sir Alex Ferguson, it is easy to say how a great manager like him deserves to go down in history as the greatest gaffer to have graced world football, but it's not just a case of having 20 odd years of success and having a stand named after you, a statue outside Old Trafford, and a street re-named in your honour. It's about learning from failure and not allowing yourself to end where you started.

Moyes has not had the best start to his career as manager of Manchester United. But guess what? Neither did Sir Alex. In fact, Fergie finished 13th in his first season as the Red Devils' boss and it was the 1990 FA Cup Final victory over Crystal Palace that narrowly kept him in the job. Back then, Fergie's Fledglings were still in United's centre of excellence and Ryan Giggs was just under a year away from making his debut for the Old Trafford outfit. The current situation at Old Trafford is very difficult. Millions of United fans worldwide expect Moyes to guide United to at least a top three finish this season and as it stands, United look far from achieving that. But it's not the end of the road just yet. The team still needs to gel and the presence of United legends such as Giggs and Phil Neville amongst the backroom staff provides motivation and inspiration for players, and support for the Glaswegian, who had 11 fairly successful years on the other side of the East Lancashire Road with Everton.

An open option: Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera

The January transfer window will be an opportunity for Moyes to make signings he missed out on the summer. The options of Thiago Alcantara and Christian Eriksen are gone, but there are other creative players out there that United have the financial capability to get hold of, who are genuinely world class and could showcase their talent at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Ander Herrera, who United had an unsuccessful bid for on transfer deadline day this summer, still remains  an open option, and could be a deadly asset if utilised with Marouane Fellaini. Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas would be a great addition, but it is unlikely that he would join United after 8 years (2003-2011) with Arsenal. Moreover, United can look beyond the Spanish market. Lars Bender of Bayer Leverkusen could fill the void that has been left by Paul Scholes, although he is a more defensive-minded player rather than an attacking midfielder, but is a truly gifted playmaker nonetheless. PSG's 21-year-old midfielder Marco Verratti, also a member of the Italian national football team, is another option, as is Schalke 04's Julian Draxler.  

However, success in the world of football is a timely process. Purchasing players does not guarantee success - it's about utilising them to their very best. The cliché "Rome wasn't built in a day" is perfect here and as for Moyes, he is under pressure to expand the success of his predecessor and will need to have patience and perseverance in order to prove that he, just like Sir Alex and Sir Matt Busby, can be one of the greatest  managers to have managed from the Old Trafford dugout. United are by no means out of the title race but the fans should expect a period of transition instead of instantaneous success. The least the United faithful expect is a Champions League spot and a trophy - the FA Cup in particular, which if they win, will be their first victory of that accolade for 10 years, next year.


CREDITS:

Moyes picture: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/18/article-0-1ADB26AC000005DC-972_634x484.jpg

Ander Herrera picture: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02657/ander-herrera_2657922b.jpg