A Bittersweet Homecoming for David Moyes
Cast your mind back 11 years to the last time David Moyes was in a Goodison Park dugout for an Everton v Manchester United match. Then, we were treated to the ghoulish sight of a bookmaker’s stooge dressed as the Grim Reaper, seated yards away from Moyes, dangling his scythe at the soon-to-be-former United boss. Everton won 2-0, and two days later, Moyes was sacked. The ‘Chosen One’ banner, displayed at Old Trafford since he had replaced Sir Alex Ferguson, was hauled down after just eight months in situ. And 11 years later, the Red Devils haven’t recovered from their spiral of chaos and doom. On Saturday, Ruben Amorim takes what remains of his battered United squad to Goodison for his club’s final visit to Everton’s historic home. This time, Moyes himself can play the Reaper. The Scot, 61, who returned to the Toffees last month, has amassed 13 points from his past five matches—four wins and a dramatic draw against runaway leaders Liverpool. That points tally is only one fewer than Amorim has mustered in 14 league games as United boss.
Everton’s Resurgence
One month ago, Everton were nine points adrift of Manchester United and also West Ham. Already, Moyes’ side has leapfrogged both of the clubs that once scorned him. The contrast in fortunes between Everton and United is glaring. Moyes, with his experience and tactical acumen, has revitalized a struggling Everton, turning the tide of a season that seemed all but lost. His return to Goodison Park has been a masterclass in managerial acumen, as he has managed to extract the best from his team despite limited resources. The Toffees are now in a much stronger position, and the sense of renewed hope is palpable among the fans. This run is a testament to Moyes’ ability to overachieve at clubs just outside the elite, a skill that might have served him well if he had stayed at United.
United’s Current Plight
Ruben Amorim’s side plunged into the bottom six at an advanced stage of a Premier League season for the first time when they lost Sunday’s ‘Hell Clasico’ to fellow strugglers Tottenham. There, the Portuguese named eight teenage substitutes who had never previously played for United’s first team, using only one of them—forward Chido Obi—as a 91st-minute replacement for a gone-at-all-levels Casemiro. Defeat by Tottenham was United’s sixth in nine league matches, and looking at the table, it is easy to imagine United finishing in the bottom six. Their position is not a false one, unless you want to argue that they should actually be even further down, among the dead men. The Red Devils have been riddled with injuries and a lack of depth, compounded by the winter loan departures of Marcus Rashford and Antony without any significant replacements.
Questioning Amorim’s Decisions
There’s much to like about Amorim, such as his unswerving, often damning, honesty about United and a charismatic strength of personality that makes it believable he could turn around the club’s fortunes in the long term. However, his insistence on refusing to compromise on a 3-4-3 formation, even when robbed of the services of 12 senior players, is beginning to look like severe bloody-mindedness. Beware of the dogma. Three of the four league wins Amorim has managed have been fortunate—United trailed 1-0 at home to Southampton after 80 minutes, were 1-0 down to Manchester City before a miraculous late derby turnaround, and won 1-0 at Fulham with their only shot on target, which was massively deflected. These victories, while welcome, do not reflect the true strength of the team and raise questions about Amorim’s tactical flexibility and decision-making.
The Appointment Controversy
Amorim’s appointment seemed like a massive coup. He was the hottest young property in management after an excellent spell at Sporting Lisbon. However, it is increasingly intriguing to consider why Dan Ashworth—United’s highly respected, short-lived sporting director—should have left after just five months, disagreeing over Amorim’s appointment. Ashworth is believed to have favored a manager with experience in the English game. His three previous appointments—Eddie Howe at Newcastle, Gareth Southgate at England, and Graham Potter at Brighton—were all great successes and were all linked with United. By the time Ten Hag was sacked, Brentford’s Thomas Frank was Ashworth’s pick, with Amorim the choice of chief executive Omar Berrada—the finance man, rather than their football man. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spent £25 million in hiring and firing Ashworth, sacking Ten Hag, and poaching Amorim, with some of this cost being recouped in demoralizing mass redundancies among the club’s staff.
The Road Ahead
Manchester United must sell before they buy this summer, reviving the prospect of stars Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho being offloaded to keep the club in line with Profit and Sustainability Rules. With a dysfunctional current squad and no quick fixes in sight, Amorim, 40, must be wondering whether he made a serious mistake in taking on the biggest basket case in world football. The Red Devils’ defensive and attacking issues are glaring, and the recent performances have done little to instill confidence. Andre Onana, for instance, was at fault for the first goal against Tottenham, palming out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison’s path. Players like Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho have shown moments of brilliance but have been largely inconsistent and frustrating. The upcoming match at Goodison Park could be a pivotal moment for Amorim, and the pressure to perform is immense.
The Final Word
So perhaps, at Goodison Park on Saturday, Moyes should bring along a Scary Movie mask and scythe. This is not a mere metaphorical suggestion but a reflection of the daunting task Amorim faces. Everton, under Moyes, are on a roll and have the momentum. United, on the other hand, are struggling to find their footing and are in danger of a humiliating relegation fight. The match promises to be a clash of managerial styles and philosophies, with Moyes’ pragmatism and experience going head-to-head against Amorim’s youthful ambition and tactical rigidity. For United, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and for Amorim, this could be a defining moment in his tenure. As the Toffees and the Red Devils prepare to face each other, one thing is clear: the future of Manchester United hangs precariously in the balance.
