Serious action begins for Moyes and United
New manager, team ready for curtain raiser
LONDON — After a brandbuilding slog around the Far East and Australia, the serious business of managing Manchester United is beginning for David Moyes.
The newcomer could excuse lacklustre results on the pre-season tour while getting acquainted with the United side he inherited from Alex Ferguson.
But starting Sunday, there’s little margin for error.
In the traditional curtain raiser to the English season, Premier League champion United faces FA Cup winner Wigan at Wembley Stadium.
Though the Community Shield is rarely considered a major piece of silverware, it presents Moyes the chance to pick up his first trophy as United manager.
Moyes’s only honour so far is the third-tier title he won with Preston in 2000 before 11 impressive but trophyless years with Everton.
He was hand-picked, though, by Ferguson to succeed him after a 27-year United reign that produced 38 trophies — including 10 Community Shields.
“I will be trying to make this the first trophy of many,” Moyes said.
“But, if we win, it’s really something that will have been earned by Sir Alex.
“It’s because of his good work in the Premier League last season that we’re in the Community Shield. I’ll do my best to finish off the job but it’s Sir Alex who will deserve a lot of the credit if we’re successful at Wembley.”
Moyes has already said it’s “impossible” to try to match the trophy haul of his fellow Scotsman.
The success, however, will have to continue.
“We’re almost there as far as pre-season goes,” Moyes said. “I think we’d like to have a bit more continuity than what we’ve had. We’ve had one or two players dropping in and out because of injury, but the players have been great.”
Apart from Wayne Rooney, perhaps.
Frustrated at his playing time last season, the 27-yearold Rooney asked Ferguson toward the end of the season to be allowed to leave the 20-time English champions.
The striker, though, is being denied a move to rival Chelsea, with United rejecting two bids and stating that he won’t be sold.
“You don’t need to convince anybody to play for Manchester United,” was Moyes’s latest stance on Rooney’s future this week.
There is only a slim chance of Rooney facing Wigan, which was relegated to the second tier after winning the FA Cup, with United disclosing that he has a shoulder injury after missing the tour matches with hamstring troubles.
United won just two of its six pre-season tour matches against the backdrop of the Rooney saga and the struggle to sign reinforcements.