Out of his depth: A season of despair for United

Seventh in the Premier League, 12 points adrift of 4^th place, knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round and on the verge of an embarrassing Champions League exit.

Not the first season in charge of Manchester United that David Moyes envisaged.

It’s hard to think of a manager who would have plummeted the reigning Premier League champions to such depths of despair so rapidly.

The first season without Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be tough, but eight defeats in 27 league games is simply unacceptable.

It leaves fans asking the question ‘would we be 7^th had Jose Mourinho succeeded Ferguson?’ The simple answer is no.

Under Mike Phelan, United wouldn’t be 7^th.

Speaking to a United fan at work, he proposed the thought: ‘Had Ferguson not selected his successor and the job had just been open to applications, would Moyes have even gone for the job?’

Take some time and think about that.

Moyes has struggled to deal with a number of aspects of the job, but the biggest has been handling a bigger squad of players than he ever had at Everton.

Under Moyes, United have not named the same starting eleven more than once, highlighting that he simply does not know what his best side is.

Much has been said and written about the quality of United’s squad, but what Ferguson was so great at was getting the best out of everyone in his squad.

Moyes has not been able to do this.

It’s fair to think that the likes of Nani, Anderson and Shinji Kagawa are not good enough to wear the red shirt, but Ferguson still got good performances out of them when he needed to.

Kagawa is the prime example.

During his first season in the Premier League, it was obvious he needed time to adjust to the physical aspect of the English game. He didn’t exactly set the world alight. Nevertheless he still contributed six goals and numerous assists.

This season under Moyes – Kagawa is yet to score or provide an assist.

I am a fan of Kagawa and would like to see him given more opportunities, especially when you consider the endless number of chances Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have had to impress.

United have really struggled against the other top teams in the Premier League.

Moyes’ side has lost at Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool as well as at home to Tottenham and Everton.

Worryingly, it’s stat that’s likely to get even worse before the season is over with City and Liverpool still to visit Old Trafford, and a trip to Goodison Park also on the agenda.

It should be pointed out though that United have taken four points off Arsenal which, during any season, is a good return.

United have an important run of games coming up, none more so than the Champions League last 16 second leg with Olympiakos. Should they be able to recover from their two nil first leg deficit and perform well in their home matches with Manchester City and Liverpool, United could at least end the season with some momentum ahead of a vital summer.

Despite recent reports, Moyes will be in charge of the rebuilding process which is sure to involve players leaving as well as arriving.

The signing of Juan Mata, as well as Wayne Rooney’s new contract, will undoubtedly help United attract the players they need in the summer even without the lure of Champions League football. Meanwhile, Ashley Young, Anderson and Antonio Valencia are just three players that have had their chance and should be sold permanently.

It promises to be a huge six months for United, who have lost six of their last 12 matches.

Should that form continue until the end of the season, even the United board may lose patience with Moyes.

To avoid that he has to show why he was Ferguson’s ‘chosen one’ and finally gain the trust of both players and fans because up until now he looks like a man well and truly out of his depth.