On the eve of a season-defining game, Manchester United boss David Moyes has hit out at critics trying to derail his side. Many would argue he’s doing a pretty good job of that himself.
Regardless, rumors of a dressing room rift between Moyes and his players have been circling for months and with the likes of Nemanja Vidic on the way out, plus speculation about Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Robin van Persie all unhappy playing for Moyes, the Scottish manager has finally moved to quell any suggestions that he has lost the locker room.
“A lot of people are trying to divide us in some way or not keep us together,” Moyes said in an exclusive interview with the clubs TV station, MUTV. “I can only tell people what they’re hearing or what they are saying is rubbish.”
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With a massive second leg of their last 16 UEFA Champions League tie coming up against Olympiakos on Wednesday, Moyes’ men must overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to make it into the quarterfinals of the UCL. Right now, success in Europe’s elite club competition is the only thing that’s keeping the Red Devils going. Even that’s hanging by a thread, with Moyes under increasing pressure to deliver results in his dreadful first season in charge.
A monumental night awaits, as its simply win or bust for the the English powerhouse against Olympiakos.
Any lingering hopes they had of finishing in the top four of the Premier League were ended last Sunday in that crushing 3-0 home defeat to Northwest rivals Liverpool, so now everything is aimed at getting as far as they possibly can in the UCL. For most of this ill-fated 2013-14 season, this tournament has acted as a release for Moyes and his players after the intense pressure of the post-Ferguson era has visibly eaten away at the playing and coaching staff.
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Time and time again people question whether or not Moyes was the right man to take the reins, but with this Fergie-esque rallying cry for togetherness before United’s biggest test of the campaign, he may yet get the best out of his under performing stars. Once again, that siege mentality has returned to Old Trafford after it had hung around for most of Ferguson’s time in charge. ‘Us against them, Man United against the world.’
For Moyes and Manchester United, this is judgement day. There’s no going back, in his first-season at the helm Moyes may have to win against Olympiakos, or kiss goodbye to his job. Seriously. He deserves more time, but this is a results business.
And, as you probably already know, United ain’t getting ‘em.
Remember, we will have recaps, analysis and reactions from all the UEFA Champions League action right here on ProSoccerTalk.