Manchester United fell at Old Trafford to Newcastle Unite, 0-1, today, and conceded their second loss of the week, and the first time the Red Devils lose twice in a row at home since the 2000-2001 season!
After 16 games, Manchester United only won six games, tied four and lost five, and defeated only one team from the top five (Arsenal, 1-0). This is the club's worst start of a season in 12 years; the worst of a previous champions in 18 years. Manchester United probably lost all chances in keeping his title today.
Many observers blame new manager David Moyes, who had the tough--if not impossible--task to replace club legend Sir Alex Ferguson. Moyes even admitted that whoever had succeeded to Ferguson would have had a "bumpy ride" in the first months. In other words, Moyes asks for time and patience,explaining that this is a transitional season. And according to him, the fans understand the situation.
"It was always going to be like this," he said. "It is a changeover period. United supporters understand fully that it will be a bumpy road at times. But there is a bigger picture here and we are looking at that as well."
Even Sir Alex Ferguson backs up his fellow Scot, saying that Moyes had to play difficult games right from the start of the season with matches against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City in the first five games.
"When I saw that fixtures list, I would have been raging too," said Ferguson. "It was a very difficult start of the season.
Manchester United had not yet gotten a back-to-back win this season and it is the major problem. The team is inconsistent, especially on their home field.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has showed frustration toward the new manager and his methods. Ferdinand explained that he did not liked the fact that Moyes would not reveal the starting 11 a few days before the game, but would wait until the last day.
"You don't really get to know the team," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "The old manager used to give you a little bit of an idea if you'd be playing and stuff. You spend a lot of energy thinking 'am I playing? Am I not playing?' It's enough to turn you into a mad-man."
After Ferdinand's complaints, Nemanja Vidic, the other center back for the Red Devils, asked his teammates to stick together to get out of the crisis.
"All players realize that with have to stick together, start winning games and perform better," the Serbian said. "Doing that will raise the confidence and everything will get better."
It seems that Moyes might not have a lot of joker left, and Manchester United Board might lose patience with him if the team does not perform quickly in the future. Already qualified for the Champions League knock-out stage, the club can focus on the Barclays Premier League in the next two months.
Hopefully for Moyes, his players will manage to grab four wins in a row as they will face Aston Villa, West Ham United, Hull City and Norwich City. Four "easy" games to get back on the right track.
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