Moyes’ stock has risen in the 10 years since he left Old Trafford... the same cannot be said of United
IT is almost a decade since trigger-happy Ed Woodward abruptly ended David Moyes’ short reign as Manchester United manager. And, as Moyes takes his West Ham side to Old Trafford today, who could blame the 60-year-old Scot for having a chuckle at the way the last 10 years have panned out? Not only are the Hammers – assembled at a fraction of the cost of the 20-time Premier League champions – a point above United in the table, his former club are no nearer finding the path to the success once routine under Sir Alex Ferguson. In fact, a comparison of United’s position after 22 league games in 2014 under Moyes shows they were in seventh place with 37 points. A glance at the current table shows United are on 35 points in seventh place. The Irons arrive in Manchester as reigning Europa League Conference holders, boasting stability, internal order and a largely happy fan base – everything United lack under boss Erik ten Hag. Moyes was called “The Chosen One” when Ferguson announced his retirement two games before the end of the 2012-13 season. Moyes was out shopping in Manchester buying a new strap for his watch with wife Pamela when Fergie rang his mobile and asked him to head to his house where he broke the good news. Unfortunately, time was not something Woodward allowed 2013-14 Moyes 22 11 4 7 36 27 +11 37 7 2023-24 Ten Hag 22 11 2 9 28 32 -4 35 7
Moyes, who, less than eight months into his six-year contract, became “The Doomed One”. Woodward’s lack of elite level football leadership saw him panic as United struggled after 27 years of Ferguson rule.
It started a chain of events that saw United burn through seven permanent and temporary managers and billions in wasted transfers, ending up with Dutchman Ten Hag who faces Moyes today (both below).
Privately, perhaps, Moyes will admit he tried to transition past multi-premier League winners Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic, all near the end of illustrious careers.
But he was hardly helped by Woodward. United refused to pay a small compensation fee for releasing Moyes from his Everton contract a month earlier in 2013. That would have given him the extra time to keep Fergie’s No.2 Mike Phelan at United. Then there was the botched pursuit of Cesc Fabregas where Moyes ended up with Marouane Fellaini when his real Everton target was Leighton Baines.
Behind the scenes, Moyes was making strides and met Bayern’s Toni Kroos at his Munich home in March 2014, persuading the player to join United that summer.
His sacking a month later ended that and put United on the road to nowhere. And that’s, arguably, where they’re still heading.
THE THE STATS STATS DON’T LIE! A DECADE ON FROM THE REIGN OF MOYES Season Manager P W D L F A GD Pts Pos