How times have changed. If someone had told even the most pessimistic football fan that Manchester United would be lining up without the great Sir Alex Ferguson at the forefront, it would have been the most ridiculous thing ever heard by such a human being. But Life plays a fast one on us and nothing is permanent. After 27 years and many triumphs, the exalted Scot bowed out and handed over the baton to trophyless (yet) David Moyes to continue in the tradition of the red devils. The man has not fared well so far. Transfers have become too difficult a task, wins are few and far between and Rio Ferdinand's TESTIMONIAL ended up as a show of absolute disgrace for the team, with Sevilla coming to the Theatre of Dreams and sinking the Premier League Champions. The insipid displays since the Asian Tour have not gone down well with those who love the club even more than their real lives. If King David wants all that to wipe off, he must deliver his first trophy as manager today. No more excuses. The game is a demanding one. Either you succeed or you fail.
Lying in wait are Wigan. A team he has to get one over after what happened in the F.A Cup last season when he was still in charge of Everton. That woeful performance in the quarter finals was one of the downsides in his 11 years at the helm. Amazingly, he recommended the same manager to his old club after he left. Roberto Martinez has since taken over and fellow Scot, Owen Coyle is now manager of the Latics after a bitter sweet end to last season saw them relegated and crowned Champions of the F.A Cup after a fairytale run.
Both sides had to see off big spenders, Manchester City to get here. For Wigan, despite being relegated, they still have the players to upset a club as big as Manchester United. Arouna Kone has since joined Martinez at Everton and Maynor Figueroa decided to rejoin Steve Bruce at Hull City Tigers. But majority of the players who won them the World's most prestigious Cup competition remain committed to the cause. Victory against the red army will send signals of intent to other teams in the Championship that they very much want to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
For Moyes, it is an opportunity to clear some doubt about his capability and ability to step into the big shoes Sir Alex left for him. Indeed, it is unfair to compare both, but that's how it is and he must get used to the fact that his predecessor's shadow will keep hovering round until he does something quite simply magical with the team at his disposal. The major fear this season is lack of activity in the transfer market. With Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs bolstering an already strong squad, it will take a miracle to mount any serious challenge on the League Title this term. Some good news though..... Adnan JANUZAJ, the Belgian teenager has come to the fore in the last month. Some exceedingly brilliant showings from him to be honest. Wilf Zaha and Jesse Lingard have also proved that they can challenge for spots in the first team this season. However, the midfield is too poor. Bar Carrick, the others are lightweight and cannot compete with the creme of the Premiership, let alone Europe. The likes of Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara were pursued without success. Now attention has shifted to Marouane Fellaini if reports in the press are anything to go by. It is a pity that a club of such magnitude can no longer attract the best in the business. In fairness, there is a huge difference between a Fergie phone call and one received from Moyes. The players will be like Moyes who?
As expected, the big question before the game today is where lies the future of wantaway ingrate, Wayne Rooney. Moyes has consistently tried to be positive about the whole brouhaha. But the harder he tries, the more the Englishman wants out of a club that made him the player he is today. After the 2010 debacle, he still has the effrontery to hold the club to ransom because he was forgiven afterwards. It is heavily rumoured that senior players and fans have told him to f-k off. It has also been speculated that he has told friends he wants to join Chelsea. Whatever happens, he has been left out of the squad today..although he may make the trip to London with the club. Perhaps, Moyes was wrong when he firmly stated with mincing words that it is only when something happens to RVP that Wayne can be counted upon. His words might have been misconstrued, but that was a crushing blow and a vote of NO confidence.
Today's match has all the makings of a power packed and interesting encounter. Much so because of a lot of happenings of the pitch for Manchester United especially and how Moyes will approach his first competitive game as Manager of the World's most supported football club. Wigan are no pushovers and will attempt to spoil the party. Forget all that gibberish Coyle was on about concerning Moyes and how qualified he is to continue from where Fergie stopped. Friendship will be put aside today, at least for the duration of the duel.
PROBABLE LINEUPS-
MANCHESTER UNITED- DDG, Rafael/Fabio Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Zaha, RVP, Welbeck.................Left for me, Januzaj should be in the squad. Worth it.
WIGAN- Carson, Boyce, Perch, Barnett, Craney, Watson, McCarthy, McArthur, Holt, Beausejour, MALONEY
For the red devils, the usual suspects of Van Persie and Welbeck should most certainly start, with the likes of Zaha, Januzaj and Lingard waiting for their time on the subs bench. In my opinion, people like Valencia and Young should be driven to Royla Antwerp to play what is left of their careers. Annoying crop.
Wigan have Shaun Maloney to count on for the needed help. The former Celtic player has been a great signing for them since he joined and he is poised to continue in that fashion, especially now that KONE has departed for pastures new.
Hopefully, we will enjoy the game.
Ohireime Eboreime
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