4. The lack of cohesion in the team
Having watched Manchester United over and over again this season, I don’t think Moyes has any idea what his best team is. Moreover I don’t even think he knows what the best formation is for this squad. If you go through the team, the clear first choice players number seven, with De Gea, Evra, Vidic, Rafael, Carrick, Rooney and RVP being the stalwarts that this team is built around. But that leaves open a vital spot at the heart of defence alongside the captain, a crucial central midfield role, and both wingers. If you think of the best United teams of the past, the players picked themselves.
Never do I remember such uncertainty around every line-up for every game the club plays in. Players need confidence to perform to their best, and as Jonny Evans admittedly recently they havn’t got any, which I think stems originally from not knowing they have the managers full trust and backing. Moyes needs to decide on a first choice partner for Vidic as soon as possible, and tell everyone that he has his manager’s backing. For me, I hope its Phil Jones, as I think he is the future, not only for this football club, but also for any successful England team.
Then he needs to turn to his midfield and find the answers to the questions that everyone is asking. ‘Is Fellaini good enough to partner Michael Carrick?’, ‘Is Antonio Valencia a long term solution at right mid, and if not then who is?’, ‘Who is first choice on the left wing?’ and ‘What on earth is going on with Wilfried Zaha?’. This team are the champions of England and are playing for the most successful club in English history, so why are they playing like they don’t believe in themselves. I believe this comes down to Moyes, and this is an area he needs to work on if he wants to be a success at Old Trafford.