David Moyes needs time, but how patient will Manchester United fans be?

Manchester United haven’t tasted much success in the transfer market and their pre-season results aren’t anything to write home about. And that means the club enters a new era under David Moyes and Ed Woodward with an extra bit of uncertainty.

Pre-season results don’t really matter, but ask any top player and he’ll tell you a win is a win. For the Moyes camp, which has publicly stated that it has a squad of champions, here’s the rider: Manchester City had taken this stance despite Roberto Mancini crying for reinforcements after their historic Premier League triumph in the 2011-12 season.

The Italian didn’t get the players he wanted and City failed to defend their title. A year on, they have invested some serious money, buying, among others, Montenegrin Stevan Jovetic, to add quality to the midfield.

The other key aspect that should worry the fans is the inability of Old Trafford to attract the big superstars. Gareth Bale was a long shot and rumours surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo are still agog, but how did they miss out on Thiago Alcanatara? And yes, United are never going to lure Cesc Fabregas the way Alex Ferguson lured Robin van Persie.

That will lead us to a more fundamental question: can Moyes attract superstars? To be fair, Moyes is getting used to the big project that is Manchester United. Let’s be honest, he is a novice in the big league. Don’t get me wrong, though. He might still have the ability to surprise people.

On the evidence of what we have seen, there are areas behind the midfield that might need some reinforcements.

United’s defensive lapses have been no less glaring.

It will, of course, be extremely unfair to point fingers at Moyes who, practically, hasn’t been a part of negotiations beyond the £10-million mark in his career too many times.

In fact, his prudence has, in part, helped him land the United job. More than Moyes, Woodward has had a tough time translating his success from the commercial and corporate side of things at United to the rigours of the transfer market.

People might ask if things might have been different had David Gill been in charge of proceedings.

At the other end of the spectrum is Wayne Rooney who is still concerned about the influence that Ferguson enjoys at the club. An unsettled player is the last thing a club needs.

United would not want to part ways with him unless they are forced, and most certainly not with a man like Fergsuon.

In a sense, the change hasn’t happened just at the managerial level. There has, in fact, been a ripple effect. The support staff wears a different look and, most importantly, a different voice is dealing with the transfer market. It’s a gamble United were forced to take.

It would only be fair to give them time. Ferguson was given time, but that was a different era. Questions have been asked of managers like Arsene Wenger, who has been around for a long time. Yes, the board still believes he is the best man for the job, but there is a section which talks about Arsenal’s trophy drought. It’s been eight years since we saw the Gunners win something!

David Moyes was received well during the Community Shield tie against Wigan Athletic at the Wembley on Sunday. And he will surely get a fine reception at Old Trafford once the Premier league kicks off. But how patient will the fans be? Only results can amplify and sustain the applause.

The writer is sports editor and senior presenter with Neo Sports.  
Follow him on Twitter @RK_sports