David Moyes was sacked April 22nd 2014
What a difference a year can make. On April 22nd 2014, Manchester United made the decision to part ways with ‘The Chosen One’ David Moyes after a truly shocking campaign.
The former-Everton boss was hand-chosen by Sir Alex Ferguson to replace him at Old Trafford after the long-serving manager called it a day on his managerial career.
Moyes was seen as the long-term replacement of Sir Alex after he signed a six-year contract. He was good friends with the United legend and received the backing of the board as they looked to start a new chapter for Manchester United.
However, that chapter only lasted 10-months.
After a poor Summer transfer window, United only managed one note-worth signing, Marouane Fellaini from Moyes’ former-club Everton.
Things got off to a solid enough start for Moyes. The Red Devils went to Wembley for the Community Shield and thanks to a Robin Van Persie brace, they saw off Wigan Athetic to win the trophy in Moyes’ first competitive game in charge.
The first few months of the league campaign were up-and-down for Moyes.
They started the season with an emphatic 4-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, before drawing 0-0 at Old Trafford to Chelsea. However, defeats then to Liverpool, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion raised eyebrows.
Despite defeat to their local-rivals and their long-term fierce rivals, Moyes’ men then went on a seven-game unbeaten streak, including a 1-0 win over Arsenal, and a 2-2 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur.
This was then to be overshadowed by back-to-back defeats at the hands of Everton and Newcastle United.
Moyes then enjoyed his best period as United boss with four consecutive wins against Aston Villa, West Ham United, Hull City and Norwich City.
However, the four consecutive wins only put Moyes’ men 6th in the league, and little did he know, but he was entering the final new months of his United career.
Losses to Tottenham, Chelsea, Stoke City, Liverpool and Manchester City dented United’s Champions League hopes and left them 7th in the league.
After the Manchester Derby loss, United pulled off back-to-back victories against Aston Villa and Newcastle United, but the next game proved to be Moyes’ last.
A 2-0 loss to his former-side Everton was enough for United to call it a day and sack him just 10-months into his six-year contract.
Ryan Giggs was appointed United boss until the end of the season, but the Welshman didn’t cope much better as he won just two of the remaining four.
As well as the dire league campaign, United were beaten in the FA Cup Third Round against Swansea City at Old Trafford and were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by strugglers Sunderland in the Semi-Final.
Moyes’ glimmer of hope only came from United’s impressive performances in the Champions League.
After winning four of their 6 group games, United progressed as winners ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, and then saw off Olympiakos in the last-16 before being eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Quarter Finals.
It’s fair to say Moyes didn’t enjoy his time at Old Trafford, but it seems that both parties are finally over the dramatic ten months.
United look set to return to Champions League football thanks to Louis Van Gaal and his impressive Summer signings, whilst Moyes is back in management in Spain with Real Sociedad.
What a crazy year for Manchester United Football Club.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
