Football fans are evenly split on whether Manchester United was right to fire manager David Moyes, and they blame the players for the club’s performance this season
Moyes was heralded as the ‘chosen one’ when he left Everton to take over the mangers job at Old Trafford on the recommendation of the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson. However, his tenure at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ descended into a nightmare as his team have dropped to seventh in the league and missed out on qualification for the Champions League, all while their arch rivals Liverpool look set to win the Premier league.
However, 44% of football fans believe it was the incorrect decision to sack Moyes, perhaps feeling he should have been granted more time to mould the club in his way. The same number say it was the right decision. 12% say they don’t know.
There is, however, a belief that a change in management will lead to improved performances next season. 44% believe the team will perform better next term, as opposed to 5% who say they will play worse and 37% who believe the level will stay the same.
Although criticism of Moyes in the media was often vociferous, football supporters blame the Manchester United players themselves for the performance of the team this season, mirroring former team captain Roy Keane’s assertion that the players ‘should be ashamed of themselves’. 67% blame the players, less than one in five (19%) say Moyes with only 4% apportioning blame to Sir Alex Ferguson or the Glazer family.
Since Moyes’ departure, fans have been debating who should take over. Ryan Giggs will be in charge of the team for the remaining league games and 13% believe he should take over the job permanently. Current bookmakers' favourite Louis van Gaal is backed by 10%. 9% say Jurgen Klopp and 8% say Jose Mourinho.
See our poll results of Manchester United fans surveyed in March
Image: Getty
