Moyes: 'Chosen one' to shatter records?

NEW DELHI: With Swansea City's recent 2-1 FA Cup victory over the defending English Premier League champions Manchester United, Red Devils manager David Moyes has managed to shatter yet another record at the prestigious Old Trafford stadium. That's not the first. But the main question that everyone in the football fraternity has on their minds is "will that be the last"?

The thing about the Swansea loss is not the fact that they managed to register a win at the Theater of Dreams for the very first time in their 102-year history. But rather it's the disconcerting datum that this was the sixth instance in as many months of Moyes's service when he managed to add another "feather" to his record-breaking 'achievements' at Old Trafford.

David Moyes, who was appointed by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson after more than 25 years of efficacious service, was rightfully termed at the 'chosen one' after being handed charge at one of the most popular and successful clubs in the world. Questions were being raised since Day 1 of him taking over. Will he be able to fill in the shoes of Fergie? Does he have what it takes to be at such a colossal club? Can he manage such a vast surplus of funds? Etc, etc.

But now the greatest question of all that is being raised is whether Moyes is Fegie's unfortunate 'chosen one' who is leading Manchester United down doom's way? The once so-called fortress Old Trafford that had earned the reputation of being impregnable has now sort of lost that aura. Moyes seems to have a "love-hate" relationship with the Theater of Dreams that is on the verge of losing its glorious history. He loves the place but unfortunately the stadium hates him.

In just six months of strenuous service, Moyes has broken quite few records at Old Trafford. Let's start with his former club Everton. The Merseyside club, which went win-less at Old Trafford during Moyes's tenure, seized the opportunity and managed to win 1-0 there after 21 years without success.

Another Premier League club Newcastle United too ended their 41-year old dry spell at Old Trafford when the Magpies claimed a thrilling 1-0 victory. And if that was not enough, West Bromwich Albion too left Old Trafford triumphant after 35 years of miseries by clinching a narrow 2-1 win.

To add to the growing scrutiny, the David Moyes-led Manchester United even managed to lose at Old Trafford on New Year's Day for the first time in 20 years when Tottenham Hotspur, managed by the inexperienced Tim Sherwood, beat the 20-time League Champions 2-1.

Lastly, and hopefully for Manchester United fans least, for the first time in 24 years Manchester United have lost to five teams at Old Trafford in all competitions before the month of February.

The close and narrow manner in which Manchester United is losing these matches is what makes David Moyes's leadership all the more questionable. If anything, the Red Devils have been an epitome of comebacks. We've seen numerous matches when United have phenomenally drafted remarkable comebacks to leave the opposition down in the dumps.

The UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Nou Camp in 1999 is and will always be etched in the hearts of United fans. Super-sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham proved that no team, even as mighty as Bayern Munich, can count Manchester United out until the final whistle is blown.

The 1999 FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal too saw Ryan Giggs score his wondrous solo goal in the dying minutes of the second half of extra time. And how many times have we seen David Beckham score his traditional bender when all hope seemed lost. That's the kind of aura that Manchester United had. That's the kind of football that fans want David Moyes to bring.

But now that magic that United had seems lost. The thing that was most troublesome about the loss to West Brom at home was the fact that United lost the plot even when Moyes brought in Robin van Persie to partner Wayne Rooney upfront when the game was stagnant at 1-1. If United start losing such matches after being in the aforementioned position on a regular basis, especially at Old Trafford, then it is indeed a sign to be worried about.

In Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement speech he said, "I'd like to remind you that when we had bad times here, the club stood by me. All my staff stood by me. The players stood by me. Your job now is to stand by our new manager." Fergie even said later that he thinks Manchester United winning any trophy in the first season would be to David Moyes's credit.

The fans and the management seem to have Moyes's back for the time being. They are obediently listening to their beloved Sir Alex about having patience and giving Moyes time. They sincerely believe that all the despondency is not Moyes's fault. But rather it's the consequence of constant squad tinkering resulting in some serious midfield issues.

But what one must not forget is that Manchester United fans have become used to having a manager around who brings glory and success to the club on a regular basis. And, therefore, it's only a matter of time before their patience and endurance runs out.