David Moyes insists his Manchester United side are still in the Premier League title race despite suffering two home defeats in the space of four days. United are 12 points behind leaders Arsenal, who play Everton on Sunday. After a 1-0 loss to Newcastle followed defeat by Everton , Moyes said: "I stand firm we will be very close. I hope we are in it at the end of the season." When asked why he was so confident, he said: "The players - because I am working with the champions." Saturday saw Newcastle clinch their first win at Old Trafford for 41 years as United slipped to their third home defeat in the league this season. Man United fixtures in December (Premier league unless mentioned) â¢10 December - Shakhtar Donetsk (home, Champions League) â¢15 December - Aston Villa (away) â¢18 December - Stoke (away, League Cup) â¢21 December - West Ham (home) â¢26 December - Hull (away) â¢28 December - Norwich (away) Moyes's side struggled to respond after going behind against the Magpies and they have already dropped 13 out of 24 points at Old Trafford, four more than in the whole of the last campaign. They have also suffered back-to-back home league defeats for the first time since the 2001-02 season but Moyes, who replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as manager in the summer, is adamant there is no reason to panic. "I think the game against Everton was very similar to the one against Newcastle," he explained. "If we had come out on top in both games I don't think anybody would have said an awful lot about it. "Because we have not, and because we are Manchester United, we have to do better. "We have to play better, pass it better, make more chances and take more opportunities. "But we have just not been able to do that in the last couple of games. "We were needing something to go for us, to give us a bit of confidence. "Their goal was a little bit fortunate. Patrice Evra hits the ball against the back of Moussa Sissoko's head and he goes through to cut it back." Moyes received a mixed reaction from United fans at the final whistle - there were some boos and some supporters had already left, but the Stretford End applauded him and sang his name as he made his way towards the tunnel. "The United fans have been great," Moyes added. "Great to me, and great to the club. "They understand there is a big transition going on here. I don't think they, or me, expected us to have lost five games at this time of the season, but I think they understand totally that there is a change going on. "How big a test is this for me? It's the same test I have done ever since I have started as a manager. The good thing is that I am more experienced now and hopefully I will be able to handle it . http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25282245
You could see a trace of a smile on Gollums face in the post match interview last night too? If I was a man utd fan (*shudder*) I would have been seething? At least he's doing interviews though not like auld whiskey nose. Gotta say I miss that guy like toothache.
Tbf I believe moyes has a point, he has been unlucky in the last two games (looking like we did under kk). What I think could be the problem for him is - it looks to me like he is relying on the players to turn it around, now in the past I am certain it will have been ferguson who sorted the players out and therein may lie moyes' problem. As for the op, I would not write utd off at all, we have three games now where if we were not to get a point it would not be a shock, utd on the other hand have three very winnable games, Arsenal may lose three out of next four, you just never know. Shaping up to be a very close season
What a complete load of Bollocks! There I was quietly enjoying my Sunday morning - peace and joy to all men etc. etc. when you have to go and write: "he has been unlucky in the last two games (looking like we did under kk). " At our worst under Kenny we showed more flair, more passion and caressed the woodwork more often than that shower of ageing no-marks!!!! He and they have got exactly what they deserved. I was about to then add 'nothing' but that is not quite true. They are beginning to understand that they are just not good enough and are actually competing to the best of their abilities.
Sorry dave not trying to ruin your Sunday morning, I just thinking if it were us we would be saying similar things, like woodwork watch and all that, i am worried we may get too carried away, so far as a team under rogers when we get close to the top or mention cl things seem to go tits up. Trying to be empathetic
Ps Dave, utd have hit the woodwork quite a bit of late and i really dont want to bring up some of the games under kk that we were utter dross and totally devoid of the ability to move, happens to all teams. See our game against Hull in recent memory, thats why I think it gonna be very close and no-one is going to be really out of it till April.
"I think the game against Everton was very similar to the one against Newcastle," he explained. "If we had come out on top in both games I don't think anybody would have said an awful lot about it." So if you'd have won, no one would say anything. Because you lost against two easier opposition at home as the champions, people will. No ****! You can't write United off. They might not win, but they'll be in the mix for top 4 still. Cannot write them off yet and we shouldn't get too cocky about the fact they're behind us.
What United do or do not do is no real concern of ours - apart from the visit to OT next year. Therefore their fate is of no true interest to me - apart from a comedy aside. I'm far more concerned about our results to the end of the year and how we may strengthen the side in January. But from waht I've seen so far it's not a question of writing them off but finding good reason to write them IN
Yeah, top four is still possible as its far to early to right them off for a CL place. As far as the title goes,they can forget it.If they were just chasing one team I would say hang on lets wait and see,but to overhaul Arsenal,Man.city,Chelsea and others just ain't going to happen. They are clearly struggling,will they try and buy big in January.I doubt it. Next summer will be a very important window for them,how much money is there? Interesting times.
The main reason seems to be that they were champions last year but everyone who makes this argument seems to ignore the fact that they now have a different manager and he is playing against teams that have actually bought new players (ignoring Varela and Fellaini who have not had an #impact on the season). Teams above Man Utd; Arsenal - £42.5m Ozil to add to good form at the end of last season Liverpool - a lot of deadwood cleared out and £44m spent, mainly improvements to defence depth Chelsea - new manager and £61m net investment Man City - new manager and £87m net investment Everton - new manager and quality loan signings Tottenham - £104m spent, mainly on dodgy penalty decisions Newcastle - Loic Remy and er... Southampton - ...okay I was trying to be polite but Moyes is just ****
I predict a big decemebr for moyes to keep him in his job. in reality the games are gimmies. •10 December - Shakhtar Donetsk (home, Champions League) dead rubber as they say. will win it and the amncs will be out gushing about winning the CL... they will say oh we'll win it and take 4ths cl spot.. thus admitting how bad they are •15 December - Aston Villa (away) Utd could easily lose this one but villa... they could give them too much respect. •18 December - Stoke (away, League Cup) who knows... stoke beat chelsea but are not sound at the back.. hughes gimmie? •21 December - West Ham (home) Easy one this. has to be a win. •26 December - Hull (away) could lose it but i eman come on we didn't show up... utd are worse than us. but this is a gimmie sorry it should be. •28 December - Norwich (away) total gimmie. useless team. utd should be in the next round of both cup with good wins to stave off pressure and should pick up 10 points at least... moyes to be safe til may and that my friends.... is music to my ears.
i can imagine them being like 15th when they sack him in january it could happen i predict a pick up in december now with some easy games coming but i can see rvp being injured and until they get rooney back in they could easily just draw half them and lose in the league cup and suddenly it looks bleak. I can see them catching 4th frankly but the cracks are huge and unpaperable right now.
