SPORTS
Replacing Ferguson always looked like being a tough task for the former Everton manager, especially when all the main title challengers invested heavily in new players during the off-season while United stood still.
In terms of managing expectations, David Moyes has done a splendid job so far at Manchester United. Raising them might prove tougher though as United's worst start to a season since the early days of his predecessor Alex Ferguson in 1989 has left them down in 12th place in the Premier League after six games.
Replacing Ferguson always looked like being a tough task for the former Everton manager, especially when all the main title challengers invested heavily in new players during the off-season while United stood still.
The Reds made only one addition for the new season and Marouane Fellaini, whom Moyes signed from Everton on deadline day, did not even start in the 2-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, with Moyes opting instead for Brazilian Anderson — a player who rarely got a look-in during Ferguson's latter years.
Even before a ball was kicked in the Premier League, Moyes was bemoaning a tough-looking fixture list which has seen United play Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool already.
That seemed to set the tone and after three defeats in their opening six matches fans are scratching their heads in bewilderment at their team's sudden fall from grace.
Rather than rant and rave about the shortcomings of his team, Moyes has remained calm and refreshingly honest but accepting second best is an alien concept at Old Trafford.
Moyes admitted Manchester City were "stronger and quicker" than his side after a 4-1 derby loss last week and, following a first home loss to West Bromwich Albion for nearly 35 years, Moyes simply said: "We are just not playing well...we were lacklustre in nearly all areas."
The Scot went on to water down United's Champions League chances ahead of a testing trip to Ukraine to play Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
"To win the Champions League, you need five or six world-class players," Moyes said, pointing to the array of match-winners at Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. "We've not got that yet but what we have got is experience."
Aura lacking
United began their Champions League campaign with a 4-2 home victory against Bayer Leverkusen but that, and an opening-day win at Swansea City, have been the only two performances showing hints of the old United swagger.
Ferguson was a master at instilling a sense of superiority into his players, even when things were not going well. United's results last season in taking the title often masked patchy performances and the aura that Ferguson built up over the years was enough to intimidate mid-table sides such as West Brom.
It was clearly not in evidence on Saturday though as the visitors sensed United's unease and went for the jugular. With bottom club Sunderland to come next weekend after the trip to Donestk, Moyes desperately needs two convincing performances to stem the flow of criticism about his team selection, tactics, training methods and his decision to change many of Ferguson's backroom staff.
Eric Steele, United's goalkeeping coach under Ferguson, was jettisoned along with assistant manager Mike Phelan and first-team coach Rene Meulensteen.
"He spoke to me, Mike and Rene," Steele told The Sun newspaper. "I told him I thought it was a brave decision. "He listened to the manager's (Ferguson's) advice but he wanted to be his own man."
Moyes will need all the tenacity that marked him out at Everton in the coming weeks as he attempts to steer the United juggernaut back on course, although whether he has the tools at his disposal is doubtful.
The defence has looked vulnerable so far this season while the lack of flair in midfield and inconsistent displays from wide men such as Nani and Ashley Young are starving the strikers of the quality service they once thrived on.
Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney remain the jewels in United's crown and Moyes will need plenty of goals from both over the coming months to at least keep United in touch with the Premier League pace setters.
Expectations have dipped in a surprisingly short space of time but languishing around in mid-table for too long is unthinkable at England's most successful club.
Ed Sheeran BREAKS silence after Bengaluru cops stop his street performance: 'It wasn't just...'
India gains, Pakistan struggles: Forex reserves rise to Rs 55300044 crore, Pak's decline continues
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma returns to form before Champions Trophy, slams 32nd ODI century vs England
'Mummy daantegi...': Little boy screams as tiger pulls his shirt at zoo, WATCH viral video
Manipur CM N Biren resigns nearly two years after ethnic violence in state
Viral Video: Women travel in train toilet to Maha Kumbh, internet says "Is this a joke?
Vicky Jain's 'bizarre' comment leaves wife Ankita fuming with anger, netizens declare him 'red flag'
Bengaluru cops stop Ed Sheeran's street performance, video goes viral - Watch
Viral video: Lion spotted on moving jeep? Here’s the truth
YouTuber Gaurav Taneja reveals he was 'shocked' over his wife's decision to...
Teddy Day 2025: Date, history and significance of the fourth day of Valentine’s week
'Sugar is the biggest toxin...': Naga Chaitanya calls sugar more toxic than alcohol and tobacco
‘Over for Blinkit, Zepto’, this startup claims ‘delivering humans’ in 10 minutes, shocks netizens
Pratik Gandhi on his struggles, managing job with acting: 'Chaar gante sona luxury tha' | Exclusive
Why did Kumar Vishwas' wife cry after Manish Sisodia lost Delhi Elections: 'Not always power...'
'Fast and Furious' cars collision creates a Rohit Shetty scene on Indian road, viral video
'Go to the room, cry...': Salman Khan's wisdom on love, breakup is all you need this Valentine's Day
Parvesh Verma, BJP leader who defeated Arvind Kejriwal, makes BIG claim, says, 'we have to do...'
Sumona Chakravarti on joining Kapil Sharma show: 'Went from Ram Kapoor's sister to...'
Is Elon Musk still interested in buying TikTok? Tesla CEO provides BIG update, claims...
Groom's mother and mama join hands to burn the dance floor down, viral video sets internet on fire
What is historic 'Blue Gold', costlier than real gold?
Salman Khan opens up about his daddy issues with Salim Khan: 'How can he be right all the time...'
Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolts Caribbean, tsunami advisory issued
Salman Khan supports Sooaj Barjatya, pens note on his OTT debut, calls his show Bada Naam Karenge...
Little girl's energetic dance to 'London Thumakda' leaves netizens in awe, WATCH viral video
Meet man who left IIT, later earned Rs 286 crore in just 20 weeks by...
Viral Video: Sadhus playing cricket at Mahakumbh mela wins hearts online, watch
Happy Chocolate Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes to share with your partner on February 9
Meet woman, who plays key role in Rs 33661 crore company, daughter of billionaire
Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna didn't talk to each other on the Chhaava sets because...
Nita Ambani, Nick Jonas share candid moments at Siddharth Chopra's wedding, WATCH viral video
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025 registration date extended by 7 days; apply at upsc.gov.in
'Fight for progress of Delhi will continue', says LoP Rahul Gandhi after Congress's Delhi debacle
Namma Metro Fare Update: Travel rides get costlier by 50 per cent from THIS date; check details
'AAP-Da Mukt Delhi': PM Modi hails BJP's resounding victory in assembly polls 2025
'He is fit to...': India batting coach shares BIG update on Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs ENG 2nd ODI
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma on cusp of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record in elite openers list
NASA confirms Sunita Williams' return date, denies US President Trump’s ‘stranded’ claim
Meet man whose airline went bankrupt, still has Rs 43894 crore net worth, he is...
Ranji Trophy: Suryakumar Yadav's horror show with bat continues, India star clean bowled for just...
Chocolate Day 2025: 5 easy homemade chocolate recipes to impress your partner
Mass layoffs at Infosys as company terminates 700 freshers over...
Priyanka Chopra wears 62-emerald bead Bvlgari necklace at her brother's wedding
Chocolate Day 2025: Date, significance, history and celebration ideas
Meet Swati Singh, wife of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal by 4089 votes
Meet man, son of world’s richest woman, he is set to take over Rs 1642000 crore empire as...