Moyes' Manchester: Where has it gone wrong?

On the 9th of May, the great Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement was revealed: David Moyes. Unfurled was the "Chosen one" banner across the Stretford End at Old Trafford, proudly sung were the chants and songs applauding Moyes' appointment and it once seemed Manchester United had appointed the man that many thought could potentially replicate the feats of Sir Alex Ferguson himself. Fast forward just a few months and the current situation is a polar opposite.

"Moyes out!" chants ring round Old Trafford during below par Manchester United performances, the media are in a constant frenzy with news on Moyes' teetering managerial position and even Sir Alex Ferguson has been on the end of abuse from fans for his part in selecting Moyes as his successor. In little time, the 26 year legacy Ferguson created looks to be crumbling at the hands of Moyes, so where has it all gone wrong?

Looking at previous track records, Manchester United appointed a mid-table manager in David Moyes, who has failed to win any major trophies, to manage a club that has been the most successful English side in previous years and will always expect silverware. Although at the time Moyes' performances at Everton made him look a good candidate, it is clear Moyes has been unable to acclimatise to the level Manchester United are at.

David Moyes could face the chop if things
do not improve at Old Trafford.

Moyes' transfer business during the two windows he has been in charge has been poor and at time senseless. In the summer the squad clearly needed rejuvenating, despite winning the Premier League, Manchester United need new blood to compete with the spending of rivals who in truth posed little threat to the Red Devils in the previous season. Moyes decided to bring in Marouane Fellaini, a player he previously worked with at Everton, who was suited to the level Everton were playing at and due to signing him deadline day, looked like a panic purchase from Moyes.

In January, even more questions were asked of Moyes' transfer policies. Manchester United brought in Juan Mata from title rivals Chelsea for a huge fee of £37 million, a player who was not exactly needed in the squad. Granted, Mata does bring top quality to the side, but plays in a position that Manchester United couldn't accommodate the similar Shinji Kagawa to, playing just behind the striker. Although early to judge, Mata's performances so far since signing hardly warrant the fee paid for him and the money they spent immediately strengthened Chelsea as it aided them in signing Nemanja Matic.

It also seems David Moyes' man management is a problem at Old Trafford, as many stars have spoken about their disappointment so far this season and some have even questioned Moyes' tactics. In what has not been a clinical season by Robin Van Persie's standards, the Dutchman spoke out saying: "Our fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in and when I see that it makes it difficult for me to come to those spaces as well." Van Persie went on to say: "Unfortunately, they’re often playing in my zones. I think that’s a shame.”   

Marouane Fellaini has not had the desired
impact people expected at Manchester United.

Each day it seems a player speaks about their disappointment over the season, but claim they are fully supporting Moyes. This begs the question, how many more poor performances at the hands of Moyes will the players be a part of before one speaks out at Moyes? Moyes himself has had to speak out and has penned a letter to fans asking for their support and expressing his disappointment with the season so far.   

Moyes has clearly made several tactical changes since arriving, although in recent weeks coming under much criticism  for his philosophy of getting crosses into the box. Although there isn't much wrong with the idea, Moyes does not have the players to carry out such a tactic. There is no big target man who can challenge opposing centre backs and win the ball and lacks the wingers to pick out the right man and is so far a tactic that has had little success.  

Many fans tried to tear down the banner after
the devastating 3-0 loss to Manchester City.

Manchester United are in a transitional period as they look to take a new direction with life after Sir Alex Ferguson and the fans understand this. The fans have tried to stick with Moyes, wanting him to succeed with the belief, if given time, he will do so. However, this has not been the case and recently with results like their 3-0 drubbing to local rivals Manchester City and just scraping past Olympiakos in the Champions League, many fans have had the right to speak up and demand changes. If results continue, do not bet on Moyes to make it to the end of the season and with the team playing as they are it could even get worse. Only time will tell how long Moyes will last at Manchester United and if he can turn things around...