The Moyes Dilemma - Ferguson's Last Act?

Is is all David Moyes' fault?

Should he be sacked after half a season?

No, and no.

David Moyes has taken Manchester United to the semi-final of the League Cup and qualified from the group in the Champions League - but that's not enough. I'm sure the fans wouldn't have cared that much that they went out of the FA Cup last season because it wasn't a high priority, but Manchester United fans must now be realists - they can't compete for the League title or the Champions League with the players they have.

Alex Ferguson got every last drop out of Giggs, Vidic, Ferdinand and Scholes. He was somewhat lucky that Man City had a huge hangover after they won the league the previous year. Chelsea and Arsenal were a mess and Ferguson exploited that. But he also knew when to get out. You don't win as much as he did without foresight.

And what can Moyes do with the squad he has? Rooney, van Persie and Carrick have been injured; Fellaini was a poor panic buy; and the average talents of Young, Valencia, Nani and Cleverly can no longer be masked by Rooney and and van Persie. The fact that 18 year old Adnan Januzaj is being hailed as the savior is a sign that times are tough.

Januzaj can play. Welbeck is in good form. De gea is one of the top 3 keepers in the league. But who else is there that would get in the Chelsea or Man City team? They would get in the Villa, Swansea, West Brom or maybe Everton teams, but Evans isn't great, Evra looks past it and the Brazilian twins haven't really fulfilled their potential.

Moyes was never going to turn down Ferguson's invitation to succeed him, but should it have been Ferguson's choice? No. Moyes had done well at Everton, but never really brought through top class players or challenged for honors. Finishing 5th with Baines, Fellaini, Howard etc. was a good achievement, but Manchester United needed a complete overhaul, and Moyes didn't really have a history of that.

He shouldn't have replaced all of Ferguson's staff, not straight away anyway. He needed the help of Micky Phelan and Rene Meulensteen. They may have undermined him a little, but they could have helped with identifying the weaknesses and potential transfer targets to replace them. Buying Fellaini at the last minute won't solve the lack of creativity - nor will running Januzaj into the ground in his first full season.

But sacking Moyes now accomplishes nothing. The players are not quite up to it any more. He needs time to shape a squad, not just the first team. A few signings in the summer (not panic January signings) will help, but until then, Moyes should concentrate on trying to win the League Cup and finishing 4th. That would be a very successful season with what he has to work with.

If he loses Rooney and van Persie in the summer, then he's really going to struggle (and United will for years to come), but although the job looks too big for him right now, there aren't many people that could have done much with what Ferguson left them. I'm sure it was unintentional, but Ferguson's last act has managed to make him look an even better manger than he was - and he's probably the best ever anyway.

Who saw that coming? Apart from Fergie

Bit of a strange one this weekend - it felt like 1989. Manchester United and City both lost, Arsenal are top and Liverpool second.

Some unexpected results in the Premier League, but United's struggles are not that shocking. It's a largely aging first team, there are a lack of creative players and they find it hard to score if Rooney or van Persie are out or off form. 

Fergie saw it coming. Giggs and Scholes are done, Rio is almost done, Young, Valencia and Nani aren't up to that level. Fellani was a panic buy and Moyes seems a bit overwhelmed. They may have an average year, but United will spend, and be back soon. 

City's loss was more of a surprise. They need to find some consistency. 

West Ham, Palace and Sunderland will find it hard going. They can't score goals, and that makes winning very hard. The saving grace for the teams below 7th or 8th is that they are all pretty average. Teams will take points off each other all year, so there are no lock in favorites for relegation....yet. 

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Atletico won the Madrid derby to stay perfect. A big surprise? Yes, but no. Bale, Ronaldo etc. are still working it out. I'm glad they lost as it shows that it's still a team game and buying the best players doesn't make you a team straight away. Real will still be very strong this year and don't be too surprised if the Champions League is their number 1 priority.

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Juventus won the Turin derby on an offside goal by Paul Pogba. I bet Manchester United wish they still had him. Serie A is shaping up to be as competitive as the English Premier League this year. Atletico are trying in Spain, but hopefully this year will keep us guessing the whole way. 

Jonjo's had a rough night, but that's nothing new

Jonjo Shelvey scored one and had 3 assists in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool - he could be forgiven if it was a one off (after all, he does love his glasses celebration and may genuinely be confused as to what team he was playing for).

He gave Alex Ferguson some abuse last year after he was sent off - something he blamed on Fergie's badgering of referees - so we can't hate him.

Plus, it's not like he hasn't had issues in front of goal before...

A level playing field now Fergie has gone?

The Premier League may be more interesting this year

Still 3 divisions within a division, but balance of power may shift again

Where to start?

Will David Moyes fail? Can he succeed after Fergie? Sell Rooney, sign Ibrahimovic - that's my solution. He's got to win something or the tabloids will label him a failure - and I think he'll be a failure!

Manchester City have made the big signings - Navas, Negrado, Jovetic and Fernandinho should all start, although with Aguero and Dzeko, Pellegrini will struggle to get the right rotation, much as Mancini did.

Chelsea have 47 midfielders, so Lampard to the LA Galaxy rumors will start as soon as he misses a match. Mourinho will no doubt spice things up a bit, but the league needs that after how boring it was last year.

Can Arsenal be relevant even if Arsene doesn't spend? He got rid of Gervinho and Andre Santos, so they at least can't be worse than last year.

And then there's Spurs. Fifth again no doubt, maybe lower if they sell Bale. I'd like to see them break the top 4, and they are much closer than Liverpool or Everton.

Middle table teams will be the same - Newcastle, West Ham, Stoke (although hoping Mark Hughes messes it all up again and takes them down).

Not sure why, but I think Fulham could struggle this year. If Berbatov is off, they may not have enough, and there is always one strange one. It could be Sunderland as no-one (not even the manager) knows who they are signing - could be great, but who knows? Hull and Crystal Palace will go down, but Cardiff should really challenge Swansea for a place in the top half.

Whoever I missed out - Norwich, West Brom, Aston Villa, Southampton, should be fine and probably fit in that tier with Newcastle and West Ham. One of these will struggle and be involved in the relegation battle - probably Southampton or West Brom (especially with no Lukaku).

I can't wait for it to start - especially as it actually may be interesting this year now that Fergie can't bully referees into a couple of extra minutes, a dubious penalty or a harsh red card.

Looking for the weekend? It's coming Sergio, it's coming

I always wondered what Sergio Busquets was up to, but I think I've figured it out. He's looking for the weekend. It's just around the corner Sergio. The Bundesliga is starting, the Championship rumbles on, and the Charity Shield is on Sunday. Manchester United face Wigan at Wembley, with United playing the game for the first time since 1985 without Alex Ferguson - old red nose will be at the bar somewhere with Sean Connery no doubt.

So keep an eye out for the weekend. Sergio knows it's coming. He's got an eye on it. Making sure it gets a yellow. But if you don't get a yellow on the weekend, you're doing it wrong.

Stupid stuff makes me laugh

Just give the ball back

The Coach was probably arguing over a throw-in on the halfway line

There are plenty of coaches who think it's all about them. No names Jose. Stop your whining, give the ball back and then get fired when your team loses 5 in a row! My only regret is that this wasn't Harry Redknapp or Alex Ferguson.