Go. Go now, David Moyes. Go while there is some sympathy left among some sets of fans.
Go, because you may be forgiven for coming into this position right after Sir Alex Ferguson retired from the game.
But most importantly, please, just go.
We know you tried, but it is just too big a shoe for you to fill.
Tactical ineptitude, a lack of clear playing identity and a complete misunderstanding of what can be deemed “Manchester United” football, all which culminated in a shocking display (at Old Trafford, no less) to eternal rivals Liverpool, surely must seal Moyes’s fate at the helm for the Red Devils.
Some might argue that Manchester United, perhaps the biggest club in the world, have been misguided (or to use a stronger term, conned) by the greatest manager in their history.
Conspiracy? Perhaps, but let us evaluate the parts which make a football club whole, so to speak.
A football club is about the traditions and culture of their footballing style.
Let me repeat, a football club is about the traditions and culture - be it formations, grassroots, playbook... that is spread through all levels of their academy, etc. - of their footballing style.
Was this the reason why Ferguson thought Moyes was the right man for the job? A manager who, despite showing great management of a limited club’s funds with consistent finishes in a competitive league, had never won a single trophy before taking over the most successful club in the history of English football.
Was he the successor who was going to continue the style of football (and level of success) that had made the Red Devils revered (and feared) the world over?
Was all the above what the Manchester United owners genuinely thought as they (reportedly) took the advice of Ferguson in hiring fellow Scotsman Moyes?
The answer seems now, so painfully obvious - no.
On the night, Manchester United were pathetic. Too slow and cumbersome in all areas and third best in every aspect of the game.
Undone by the tactically astute Brendan Rodgers, the Red Devils clearly looked overmatched.
Despite talks of fitness being a crucial part of Moyes’ preseason and early-season training regime, it has to be said that Manchester United were simply out-coached on a tactical level.
The disjointed display so disappointing that the fixture verged on a mercy-killing towards the end, with Liverpool fully capable of overloading the United defence with their precision attacking plays.
All this, despite some Liverpool players failing to perform on the night. Daniel Sturridge was a disappointment, his touch and finishing deserting him for much of the game whereas Jordan Henderson doing much of nothing at all, buzzing about with the energy and exuberance of a young Steven Gerrard (who we’ll come to later) minus the stunning right foot from anywhere within 30 yards of goal.
Captain Marvel himself, Gerrard scoring two out of three penalties awarded to Liverpool (in between a yellow card, and some would argue, what should have been a second yellow for leading in with an elbow for a long ball, connecting with Marouane Fellaini’s face) was decidedly average for large swaths of the match, yet with the confidence and momentum gaining throughout the season in the Liverpool camp, self-belief is what truly led them over the Red Devils in this fixture.
For Gerrard, self-belief is one thing that can never be taken away from him.
Back to Manchester United - the dressing room has been emptied. There is no respect nor fear of a manager who is so out of his depth.
Robin Van Persie’s comments about his space being intruded on by team-mates, a not so subtle jab to Wayne Rooney’s newfound freedom to do whatever he wants (it comes with a massive wage rise, apparently) were accurate today, as last season’s best striker in the EPL finished the match with only two more passes completed amongst team-mates than David De Gea, their superb goalkeeper.
De Gea’s stunning stop from a Luis Suarez strike earlier must be noted, as the Spaniard did himself no wrong on the pitch this evening.
Where is the communication? The movement? The finding of space, executed via deft one-touch passing moves and one-twos?
Actually, where is Manchester United?
Two down, and Tom Cleverley coming on says it all.
With Shinji Kagawa, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia sitting and staring into space, it is then time for a defender to come on for an attacking midfielder.
Yes, the sight of Rio Ferdinand trotting on for Juan Mata has to be the last nail in the coffin. Well, the second last nail in the coffin came minutes before, as Daniel Sturridge managed to kiss the dirt elegantly while diving over Nemanja Vidic’s poorly-timed challenge.
Gerrard missed, but four minutes later a fluffed Sturridge strike found Luis Suarez, the best player in the Premier League, to finish coolly past De Gea.
Three down, and the great spirit of Manchester United was laid to rest.
The question is, are the top brass at United brave enough to make changes. Are they able to do something before the team slips further into the dark ages (circa Liverpool post-1990)? – March 18, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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