Sir Alex Ferguson may have spent over 26 years in the Manchester United dugout, but that doesn’t mean the club have an endless supply of patience.
The theory goes that, had Mark Robins not scored that goal at Nottingham Forest, Ferguson would have been sacked a little over three years into his Old Trafford tenure. Of course, the current Huddersfield Town manager did stoop to get on the end of that Mark Hughes cross at the City Ground, United won the FA Cup four months later, and this sparked a sensational period of dominance which is unlikely to be seen in this country again.
When he bowed out after more than 26 years in charge last May, Sir Alex did so on the back of 13 league titles, five FA Cups, and four League Cups. But his success wasn’t limited to the domestic scene: twice he led the Reds to the UEFA Champions League, whilst they also won the UEFA European Cup-Winners Cup in Rotterdam, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and, if that isn’t enough already, a FIFA Club World Cup.
Due to the length of time he spent at the club, there are some United fans who have never known anything but success. They don’t remember the Ron Atkinson era, or the dour football played under Dave Sexton, and they can barely believe the fact that, under the charismatic Tommy Docherty, they were actually relegated in 1974.
So when David Moyes was appointed as Ferguson’s successor at the end of last season, it was taken for granted by some that the former Everton boss would be given time to stamp his own authority on the club. After all, wasn’t he handed a six-year contract to achieve just that? And didn’t his predecessor, in the final home match of the season, remind the fans that their job now was to get behind and support the new manager?
Yet some fans are already becoming disillusioned with Moyes, and it isn’t too difficult to see why. Out of both domestic cup competitions before the end of January, United have lost eight matches in the Premier League and have, in all reality, never been anywhere near the title race this term. Indeed, the 2-2 draw at home to Fulham leaves the champions, who are in seventh place, some nine points adrift of Liverpool in fourth spot.
The majority of the United support knew this would be a difficult season. Following the most successful manager in English football history is, after all, no easy task. But few expected it to be quite this bad. Not only are the results non-existent, but the performances have also left a lot to be desired: at times they have looked bereft of ideas, of a Plan B, as demonstrated by the 81 crosses aimed into the box on Sunday afternoon, the majority of which were easily handled by the Fulham back four and goalkeeper.
Whilst there have been plenty of first team players who have performed well below the standards they displayed under Ferguson, and there have also been times when the side have suffered from misfortune, the buck will ultimately stop with Moyes. And forget the length of time he has on his contract, or the fact that the club stuck with their previous manager during his early struggles, because that may matter little.
If United finish outside of the top-four this season, Moyes would have failed in his first season at the helm unless he somehow manages to mastermind an unlikely Champions League win. Should the slide continue into next term, there is bound to be a point when the board consider the future of the 51-year-old, regardless of his contract.
And for those who think the history of the club will ensure Moyes is given time, this is perhaps something of a myth. When Sir Matt Busby, along with Ferguson the greatest manager the club have ever had, quit in June 1969, he had to come out of retirement when his successor, Wilf McGuiness, was sacked after 18 months. And his replacement, Frank O’Farrell, lasted just 17 months. Docherty, Sexton and Atkinson were also fired before Ferguson arrived, the latter of whom won two FA Cups in the space of three years.
These are difficult times at Old Trafford, and Moyes deserves time to get things right. But if he points to the spell of his predecessor as a reason why he will be given such luxury, he may well be in for a nasty surprise should United continue to falter.
