Scotsman both and the most significant of similarities end there. One is an immortal legend whose managerial career started when the other did not even wear his first boots, one has won a plethora of silverware and honors while the other is a pauper when it comes to trophies. David Moyes is being tasked with filling the very huge boots of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, an enviable job but one which comes with its own perks and perils. Manchester United isn’t just a small club in a big town; it is the epitome of popularity and global reach. The Real Madrid or Barcelona or even Bayern Munich fan boys may argue, but Manchester United is the most popular and selling football club on the planet. The pressure, the spotlight, the demands, the riches, the drama, the controversies, it is all there when you talk Manchester United. Never before in his managerial career has David Moyes graced such a stage, the big job that awaits him is staring down at him like a humongous, hungry monster ready to gobble his prey up. It surely won’t be a bed of roses for the former Everton man, and he better be ready for the battle at hand because come May 2014, one-tenth of the whole world will be expecting at least the league trophy in their bulging cabinet.
Making the grade up from the meager surroundings of Everton to the classy heights of Greater Manchester can be pretty demanding. Moyes hasn’t started off the way he would have dreamt, a pre-season friendly loss and the frustrations in the transfer market must’ve toughened him up for the rough ride ahead. Given Moyes’ limited pedigree in managing a star-studded unit, his preferred targets have half an eye on the other offers while in contact with the club. The well-documented Thiago Alcantara transfer saga, heavily linked to United once, chose Bavaria over Manchester. Such difficulties have to be overcome quickly while the scenario across Europe changes tides. While he has a title-winning squad at his disposal, he would definitely like to stamp his authority over his squad with a marquee signing or two.
Although the club hierarchy says that there is no pressure on Moyes and he would be given full support, there are fewer words which sound hollower than those given the present scenario of big spenders and Man United will be desperate not to fall down the ladder. For a club like Man United, the league title is the staple, but whether Moyes is the man for the job is the big issue. Never in his career he had 75000 fans behind his back, the pressure of dealing with fans’ expectations will be one hell of a job for Moyes. Regardless of these rather abstract things, Moyes can bring a new identity to Manchester United while valuing the fabled principles of old. In Moyes, United haven’t got a like for like replacement for Sir Alex but rather they’ve got themselves a Ferguson of the future, provided he stays that long.
Question marks still arise on the protracted Wayne Rooney saga, whether he is staying or leaving is yet to be cleared up. Then there’s the matter of the overhaul of the entire backroom staff, Moyes’ own Everton crew joining him at United with the likes of Eric Steele, Rene Meulensteen and Mike Phelan leaving haven’t gone down well with sections of the club faithful although he was swift to make amends by adding Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville to his unit, but small changes like these can be the game changers at the end. David Moyes once took Everton from the brink of relegation to European contenders and made them consistently punch above their weight, and he will be motivated enough to lead Manchester United to glory, but it remains to be seen whether he can deliver the goods at the first time of asking. David Moyes will be undaunted by the task at hand, but if his record so far is something to go by, then the Stretford and faithful will have a frustrating season at hand. David Moyes heralds a new era of Manchester United, and if he can emulate even half of what Ferguson achieved at the club, his status as a cult hero will go down in the club history books.
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