Champions League: Manchester United Vs Bayern Munich – Show us what you got Moyes?

Despite the resounding win over Aston Villa, Manchester United’s performance all season has got manager David Moyes still reeling from supporters’ backlash – to a point where the infamous flying banner was used to express their feeling. This is not a good sign and now against Bayern Munich – United faces one of the biggest games at Old Trafford ever since last year’s match against Real Madrid.

How Moyes approach this game will give enough indication to what he will be facing in the coming weeks. Traditionally in the home leg of the Champions League knockout stages teams generally play a more ‘daring’ approach and try to come out with a win and then defend their advantage in the away leg. But Moyes had prove so far that when facing a more ‘superior’ (confident) attacking team, he tends to goes back to his Everton style – a more compact and defensive team line-ups. This is where Moyes may just shoot himself in the foot. Bayern – given their stature now – will punish a proven error-prone United team. As such most United fans would agree this is where Moyes cannot afford to play timid and instead go all out from the minutes the game starts. No matter how good Bayern can be, they are also humans and can be rattle. And looking back at the history of this two teams prove that this will be one of the greatest quarterfinal matchup in recent Champions League matches, if United starting XI does not ‘fold’ by kickoff.

Given Robin Van Persie and Juan Mata’s unavailability United must surely starts with Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa upfront, with Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia on the flanks. Ryan Giggs will surely start alongside Michael Carrick (if Carrick is not require to do defensive duties). The sight of 40 years old Giggs starting however brings some dilemma to most United fans, some would think that Giggs is saved for this game and will surely be fire up to help United getting a good results. However it is still considered a worrying sight (despite Giggs’ legendary status) that United is so dependent on him. Even in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final few seasons, a good performance from Giggs (and Paul Scholes) too gave some United fans a good cause for concerns – the dependencies on these two highlight the fact that United has no replacement for them.

From the forwards to the midfield and especially defense, United is facing selection issues. None of these players (with the exception of newly contracted Wayne Rooney) have shown any consistencies all season. It is Moyes’ job to make sure the players are all fire up – just in time before the kick off, if there is any chance of a good result against the currently impressive Bayern Munich. As mentioned before, stranger things have happen in the Champions League – this season could be United’s season to grab that honour. Forget about the fact that winning the Champions League allows United to be in the tournament next season, at least put some hopes for United’s supporters in a disastrous season by playing some great football!

Champions League - Olympiakos Vs Manchester United: Can we dream Moyes?

With the form of football Manchester United is playing – which shows in the appalling results so far, most United fans generally, openly accept that the season could not get any worst. Still 11 points off the 4^th place for a place in next season’s Champions League qualification at the end of February does not bode well for David Moyes (and everybody around him). Truth is United is bad – all season, with only occasional display that gets supporters excited temporarily. Will Wayne Rooney elevation into the highest-paid United player ever turn things around? Or does United actually need to do a “Liverpool miracle” to land the coveted Champions League spot – and winning the trophy for the 4^th time?

Premier League – Manchester United Vs Newcastle United: What now?

David Moyes and his team will be facing another high flying team – Newcastle United – at home. As in the case of Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and lately Everton, teams like these goes to Old Trafford with confidence knowing that they could return with positive results – and the fear factor United used to possess under Sir Alex Ferguson is long gone.

Premier League – Manchester United 0 Everton 1: Everton a better team now!!

David Moyes could not get the better of the man who replaced him at Everton – in his own backyard! That does not sound good – at all to any Manchester United’s supporters. Managing Everton and United is totally different – it is akin to driving a Japanese car compares to driving a German marquee brand. The quality of the squad is also way different and yet Everton managed to create history at Old Trafford on Wednesday night!

Premier League – Fulham Vs Manchester United: Let’s keep the momentum

The 4-0 win over Norwich City at the Capital One Cup will soon become a distant memory. After all it is at a minor domestic cup and the opponent was basically a ‘no-show’. It is still an important win especially given David Moyes’ difficult start as Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement. The talk will be back on one issue – team selection!

Premier League - Manchester United 1 Southampton 1: Here Comes Our Nightmares!!

It has been said before, time and time – that the new era post Sir Alex Ferguson will be difficult, for the club and its fans. Even the man himself warned that the difficulties will be ‘present’ – for periods longer than most fans would expect. And it has been said that David Moyes must be, and will be given time to manage Manchester United after Ferguson’s successful era. But in the new era, United is the defending Premier League champion, a football powerhouse as well as one of the biggest clubs in the football world – as compared to when Ferguson took over in 1986.

Capital One Cup – Manchester United 1 0 Liverpool: This is more United-like!

Convincing? Not entirely but one thing for sure, this is the way Manchester United should be playing. Despite the scoreline it is United that is showing more hunger and wanted the win more. The thumping by neighbor City did help but the hurt from the derby loss continues.

Manchester United Vs Liverpool: No more Young, give us Kagawa!

As well as Nani, the da Silva twins and Javier Hernandez! Given the results so far David Moyes may just well go for the break – and change the team that he had preferred for the last 6 games. After all it is in Manchester United’s tradition to field either players who are not playing regularly or youngster at a Capital One  Cup (formerly League Cup) fixture.

Manchester United Vs Bayer Leverkusen: Moyes must be ready

This is another series of first: David Moyes first group stage Champions League game, first Champions League game for Manchester United, first Champions League game for Manchester United at Old Trafford. Moyes is so new to this job there are so many ‘first’, but does it matter and how will he fare?

Manchester United Vs Crystal Palace: Moyes must do better!

This should be another first – David Moyes first competitive win at Old Trafford. It is also the second competitive game at home for Moyes. The one against Jose Mourinho’s side is one to forget – never mind Wayne Rooney’s performance, he is not available for this game anyway.

Manchester United Vs Chelsea: We are ready!

Two days to go ahead of this mega match-up between defending champion Manchester United and title contender Chelsea, who coincidently sits on top of the Premier League table – courtesy of that extra game (and win) against Aston Villa. One thing for sure, we can expect Jose Mourinho to continue his ‘mind games’, making statements - especially on the Wayne Rooney issue. He needs to, based on United’s win over Swansea and the fact that it is at Old Trafford.