NEW MAN: Former Everton manager David Moyes took over as Manchester United coach after Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Ferguson bowed out after his 1,500th game as United manager during Sunday’s 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion. (AFP)
AFP/London
David Moyes started the post-Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United yesterday as the Premier League champions’ new boss arrived at the club’s training ground for the first time.
United are under new management for the first time since 1986 following Ferguson’s retirement and Moyes was due to meet the club’s players and staff at Carrington in order to outline his plans for the future.
Although he does not officially start work until July 1, Moyes intends to get down to business before then as he looks to make a smooth transition to life at Old Trafford. “I’ll probably be doing two jobs for the next week or so,” Moyes said after Everton’s defeat at Chelsea on Sunday. “I’ll go into Finch Farm (Everton’s training ground) some of the days next week and make sure everything is in place for whoever the incoming manager is. Most of it is anyway, but I’ll just make sure that everything is as ready as I can leave it.”
Moyes was announced as Ferguson’s successor two weeks ago, but he had to wait until Monday to finally link up with United after seeing out the last two games of the season with Everton.
Ferguson bowed out after the 1,500th game of his extraordinary United reign ended in fittingly remarkable fashion with a 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
It was the highest scoring draw in Premier League history and matched a result United have recorded just once, in 1895, when they were still known as Newton Heath.
With Ferguson heading into the sunset, Moyes, who has spent 11 years in charge at Everton, faces a daunting challenge at Old Trafford as he tries to emulate his predecessor’s incredible success.
The most pressing item in his in-tray will be the future of England striker Wayne Rooney, who has asked for a transfer after becoming frustrated with his reduced role in the second half of the season.
It is the second time in three years Rooney has tried to leave and Moyes, who gave the forward his debut as a 16-year-old at Everton, has to decide if he wants to placate the volatile forward.
The pair fell out following Rooney’s departure from Everton when the striker was sued by Moyes for allegations in an autobiography before they reconciled after the player apologised to his former Goodison boss in 2010.
Even if Rooney is eventually sold, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain linked with imminent bids for the 27-year-old, Moyes will still be able to rely on the Premier League’s top-scorer when United start their title defence.
Robin van Persie scored 26 times as United romped to their 20th English title and the Dutch forward expects United to continue to thrive under Moyes.
“Everybody wants to work for each other and share the success and I’m 100 percent sure that we will play for trophies every year and, hopefully, win a few every year. That’s our standard for this team,” he said.
“Of course, we get a new manager next year and everybody is looking forward to that. It’s a new challenge for everyone. We’ll have a nice break now and then we go again.”
Moyes has indicated there will be no drastic changes at United, although Everton assistant manager Steve Round, coach Jimmy Lumsden and former United player Phil Neville, who will leave the Toffees in the close-season, have all been tipped to follow him to Old Trafford.