Moyes: The problems

By David Lee Wheatley

What Moyes faces this summer

The official announcement today that David Moyes is to take over the Manchester United managerial role from July 1st gives the current Everton boss the opportunity to take on one of the greatest jobs in world football.

On the face of it, it seems an appointment that will stabilise the club right off the bat, after the shock of Fergie's retirement stops reverberating around Old Trafford.

The younger Scot has managed Everton with great distinction and, to many observers, deserves the chance to manage the top club in the land.

Moyes will cut a determined figure when he arrives in Manchester this summer and he'll know Ferguson will be around should he need any assistance. It all seems set up for many more years of success for the new man at the helm, but what problems will he face during the first few weeks and months in his new job?

Firstly, he's going to have to win over the throngs of United fans with results and stylish football. He needs to prove that he's capable of getting the best out of the players and of competing at the very top of both domestic and European football.

If results go his way early on, the fans will be onside. However, there's always going to be the pressure to win trophies and Moyes must deliver year-in, year-out.

Dealing with the likely retirements over the next couple of years of players such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand will be a test of Moyes' ability to renew the squad in the same vein as his predecessor. He must buy well in the transfer market, while keeping a keen eye on the youth sides in a bid to promote from within if any youngsters show sufficient potential. It's a balancing act that Ferguson successfully managed throughout his time in charge and the new man must replicate that tried-and-trusted model.

Another issue that will arise will be Wayne Rooney's apparent desire to seek pastures new. It's been widely reported that the striker handed in a second transfer request within the last 3 years just recently and Moyes will have to handle the situation delicately. If he feels Rooney should leave, then he will have to sign a marquee player to replace him. If he stays, the manager will have to coax great performances out of a player currently unhappy at Old Trafford. It's a conundrum that will need to be resolved before the start of next season.

The aura that Ferguson has around him is often credited with helping the outgoing boss attract some of the best players around to join up with him. Manchester United Football Club is a massive pull to any prospective new signing in itself, but Fergie was often able to persuade a player that his future lay with United just with his words.

Can David Moyes hold court in the same fashion? He's had to deal in the next rung down of the transfer market up to this point, compared with the options open to United. He will now have the chance to bring some of the stars of world football to his new club and it'll be a test of his man-management and communication skills to see if he can keep the conveyor belt of top players coming to Manchester.

Gaining the respect of the current squad will be extremely important and Moyes will need the likes of Giggs to give him help in that matter. As long as the established stars listen to him, the rest will follow. If Moyes can establish a bond with the older players, that will filter through to the younger lads and help foster a harmonious camp.

David Moyes knows how to manage a top football club; he's been doing it for 11 years at Everton. The Red Devils are the biggest club in England and the world, so it is a step up and into massive shoes to fill. However, I believe the former Preston boss is ready for that next step and will address most issues with aplomb.

It's imperative he gets off to a decent start in his first season; if he does well early on, the momentum will build and the possible problems hanging in the air will dissipate quickly.

It's a great opportunity and one that no football manager would pass up.

Only time will tell if Moyes has all the capabilities to continue the success presided over by Alex Ferguson for so many years.

I'll bet that he has.

Twitter: @davewh1980