David Moyes claims Manchester United no longer upholds the values instilled by Sir Alex Ferguson, blaming this cultural shift for the club’s ongoing struggles since his own tenure.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated, former Manchester United manager David Moyes has claimed that the club no longer adheres to the core “values” established by Sir Alex Ferguson, a cultural shift that he suggests created the upheaval that impacted his tenure and is still a factor today.
Moyes, who was handpicked by Ferguson to succeed him, lasted less than 11 months in the job, despite signing a six-year contract.
More than 12 years after his appointment, Moyes reflected: “The history of Manchester United was not [one of change]… They stuck with their managers, they brought through their own academy boys.
They actually had some of the best characteristics of what you would want your club to have; good values.”
Moyes, who managed Everton for 11 years before moving to Old Trafford, felt he was not afforded the time to succeed, noting that no United manager since Ferguson has completed more than two full seasons.
He consistently argued for patience, telling talkSPORT in 2018: “It couldn’t be a revolution at Manchester United, it had to be evolution. It had to take time.”
In addition to facing “incredibly strong” competition from Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal, Moyes inherited an “ageing team” with key players like Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Patrice Evra, and Michael Carrick all over the age of 30, and Ryan Giggs nearing his 40th birthday.
The report notes that recruitment was also a struggle, with Marouane Fellaini being the sole new signing after key transfer targets like Gareth Bale, Cesc Fàbregas, and Toni Kroos were missed.