Shakhtar Donetsk Vs Manchester United: Have Moyes Learnt?

This will be the first away Champions league games for David Moyes – and he needs to make sure he gets it right. After a difficult start to the season – 8 games, 4 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw – makes it looks right Moyes is really out of depth in his job as the new manager of Manchester United, or is he?The game against Shakhtar Donetsk will represents a new challenge for Manchester United under David Moyes. Donetsk is the reigning Ukrainian champion and is the one team that is strongest on paper in United’s Champions League group. Being away makes it even more daunting given the form United has been in.

 

Most Manchester United fans would expect David Moyes to be extra cautious and perhaps playing for a draw. In the past, Sir Alex Ferguson had always leaned towards a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 formation in a tough away fixtures, where the middle of the park is being overcrowded with hardworking midfielders. And Moyes – given his style at Everton might just use this tactic. Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick would be Moyes first preference with probably Tom Cleverly heading the midfield. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young would probably get the nod in a more withdrawn midfield, leaving either Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney to start upfront alone. Nemanja Vidic is also expected to play and would probably partner someone else other than the woeful Rio Ferdinand.

 

But if David Moyes has to consider pleasing both Van Persie and Rooney than one of this would probably play deeper – could Manchester United’s fans see a ‘Ferguson style’ of Rooney being played out of position to accommodate the team or risking Van Persie’s ego by selecting Rooney first. Having seen Rooney being given the captain armband for the last two games, one would know that this is a strategy – for stroking Rooney’s ego. Rooney is not a natural leader, rather the plus point of him being captain is his form (and goals). A more defensive 4-4-2 would also be a possibility if both Van Persie and Rooney start.

 

Alternatively David Moyes could make the midfield rock solid by putting Phil Jones together with Carrick-Fellaini combination, plus a defensive minded rightback. But smart money will be that Alexander Buttner and Anderson as well as Javier Hernandez would not start the game, so do Shinji Kagawa. Whichever formation or players selected – a loss would the last thing Moyes wants and he has to makes sure his players get his message loud and clear.

 

David Moyes – being a capable manager, as well as having his predecessor just a phone call away should he needs him, must change the results and an away win at an important Champions League fixture would be a world of good to his confidence as well as his team. At any other teams – even at club like Liverpool – 4 wins, 3 losses and a draw would be acceptable but not at United with supporters being so accustomed to success under Alex Ferguson.