BETRAYAL: DAVID MOYES SAYS MAN UNITED DEVIATING FROM TRUE CLUB VALUES
David Moyes says Man Utd needed a long-term rebuild in 2013 and claims the club's managerial upheaval since Sir Alex Ferguson departed represents a departure from its historic values and culture of stability.
David Moyes thinks Manchester United needed a major overhaul when he took over from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. He also feels the changes at Old Trafford since then go against what the club used to believe in.
Before his return to Old Trafford with Everton this Monday, Moyes said his 11 months as United's manager didn't work for different reasons, but he's moved on. Even though he inherited a title-winning team from Ferguson, Moyes isn't shocked that United is still waiting for their 21st league title.
"I always thought it would take time to fix," he said. I realised early on it wasn't going to be quick. Also, it wasn't just about United's strength. Other teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal were also strong and improving. I think those clubs played a big role because their quality was getting better.
Ruben Amorim is United's sixth permanent manager since Ferguson retired. He was under pressure before the team's recent better form. Moyes believes the frequent managerial changes show a culture shift at Old Trafford. Manchester United used to be different, he said. They had a great culture. They stuck with their managers, brought through their own young players, and had good values.
Sir Alex had great values at Manchester United, and those values took time to develop. It was always a club with brilliant values, understanding the importance of bringing young players through and developing them the right way.
Meanwhile, Amorim said the storm isn't over for United, even with their five-game unbeaten run in the league.
United has won against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton and drawn with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham since their 3-1 loss at Brentford on September 27. It's encouraging, but Amorim isn't getting carried away. Eleven months ago, after United beat Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford, he warned that a storm would come. He was right, as United only won seven more league games last season and finished 15th.
If you look at the bottom of the league, the teams have a lot of points, so things can change quickly. “That’s why I don’t like to say the storm is over,” said Amorim. But we're more prepared for any storm now. We need to keep that urgency in every game.
It's my job, especially at our club, to always have that feeling, which gives me a sense of urgency in every training session. In the Premier League, everything can change so fast because any team can win.
When asked if United could extend their unbeaten run to 10 games, including matches against Everton, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Wolves, and Bournemouth, Amorim said, We need to focus on being six games unbeaten, but being unbeaten isn't enough.
I was frustrated after the last two draws. For us, it's not enough to be unbeaten. We didn't win the last two games, so I don't think we were unbeaten five games ago. In my mind, we're going into the third game without a win, and we didn't win the last two, so that's how I feel.
With Benjamin Sesko out for a few weeks due to a knee injury from the 2-2 draw with Spurs, Amorim was asked if he regretted loaning Rasmus Højlund to Napoli. It's hard to keep everyone happy at these clubs. Imagine Rasmus was here, and you'd say he'd have more playing time if Ben were injured, said Amorim. It's impossible to manage a dressing room like that, so we need to improve the academy kids so they can have a chance when there's an injury.
DERBY OUTRAGE: PETER BANKES DOUBLES DOWN ON DISALLOWED KOLO MUANI GOAL DESPITE MASSIVE CRITICISM
Referee verdict: Discover why Peter Bankes disallowed Kolo Muani’s goal and Keith Hackett’s "stupid and soft" reaction.
Referee Peter Bankes stood by his call to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser in the North London derby, calling it “a very, very clear offence.”
The moment sparked outrage. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, hit the deck after Muani’s challenge in the box. Former Premier League referees’ chief Keith Hackett didn’t hold back, calling the decision “stupid and soft".
Bankes didn’t hesitate. He blew for a foul, ruled out the goal, and VAR stayed out of it, even as Spurs fans fumed. That goal would’ve levelled it at 2-2.
Bankes explained on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show: “I was exactly where I needed to be for a cross from the right. I saw the Tottenham player put two hands into the back of the Arsenal player. That’s what grabbed my attention. When you see that live, it looks like a straightforward push – a clear foul.
“I held off on the whistle to let play run, then made the call after the ball went in. That way, VAR could step in if I’d missed something or if it looked off. But honestly, on the pitch, it looked obvious.
“I’m still comfortable with my decision. Sure, things can look different at different speeds; slow motion isn’t the same as seeing it live. But I got one look, and I was confident the two hands on the back had enough impact to be a foul.
“I know people will split on this, but I’m comfortable. That’s a free kick for me.”
The decision was a huge break for Arsenal, who ended up winning 4-1. As far as Spurs fans were concerned, Gabriel got away with one.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed Bankes up: “The on-field decision always stands. The ref saw enough for a push. VAR isn’t going to overturn that when the evidence is there.”
THE GIBBS-WHITE PROJECT: WHY MANCHESTER UNITED SEE THE FOREST STAR AS THEIR NEXT PLAYMAKER
United transfer hub. Get the report on wage bill cuts, the Forest playmaker, and City’s rival interest.
Manchester United still have a bit of a wait before the summer transfer window opens, but talk around Old Trafford is already heating up. People keep linking United with all kinds of new signings for when the season wraps up.
Michael Carrick has made quite the impression as United’s interim head coach so far. The club handed him the reins until the end of the season, and honestly, he’s done well with the opportunity.
Still, no one really knows who’ll be in charge next season. That uncertainty just adds fuel to the rumours about which players United will chase in the transfer market.
Right now, everything hinges on Champions League qualification. United sit fourth in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night. That spot could make all the difference for summer plans.
Morgan Gibbs-White's claim
Now, United have reportedly joined the hunt for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The Daily Mail says United are keeping an eye on the Forest playmaker, maybe even lining up a summer move.
But there’s a snag: United want to bring down their wage bill, and that could make signing Gibbs-White tricky.
Manchester City are also said to be interested, and Tottenham apparently tried to sign the 26-year-old with a £60 million offer, but that move fell apart.
Man United's Scott McTominay stance
As for Scott McTominay, it sounds like United aren’t planning a reunion. Despite recent talk about bringing the Napoli midfielder back, TEAMtalk reports United aren’t interested, and the idea hasn’t even come up in the recruitment department.
Napoli now values McTominay at close to £70 million, just a year and a half after he left United for around £25 million. He made the move to Italy in the summer of 2024 and, in his first season, helped Napoli win the Serie A title.