The scrutiny of Moyes has been over the top

For most managers, international breaks are a pain in the backside. But for Davie Moyes, I suspect this one has come as something of a relief.

It’s not just time off from the pressure of Premier League football. It’s also time off from the scrutiny that comes with it.

And in Moyes’ case, I think the scrutiny has been over the top.

Okay, there were always going to be questions asked of the man who took over from Sir Alex Ferguson. It’s just that after only seven games, and with United only four points off the Champions League spots, the tone of the discussion is a bit hysterical.

You’d think they were heading for relegation the way people are questioning their start.

For me, come the end of the season, I expect United to be right up there challenging for the title. They might not win it right enough, but they’ll be there or thereabouts.

Why am I so optimistic? For loads of reasons.

First of all, their fixtures are getting easier after a really tough start. Their next four games are at home to Southampton and Stoke, then away to Fulham before Arsenal visit Old Trafford in mid-November. By that time, Arsenal could already have come down to earth with a bump because, although they’ve had a good start, their squad is thin.

Secondly, Moyes’ introduction of 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj against Sunderland will have shown his players that they’re all playing for their places. As far as motivators go, that’s amongst the very best. No experienced pro wants to lose their place to an up-and-coming teenager and they’ll give everything to make sure it doesn’t happen.

Thirdly, it’s been a season of shocks across the board not just for Manchester United. Manchester City have lost to both Cardiff and Aston Villa, Liverpool have lost to Southampton, Tottenham have shipped three to West Ham and Chelsea have gone down to Everton. That shows how open the Premier League is this season. There just isn’t one outstanding team who look like running away with it.

And after all that, come January, I expect United to splash the cash. Remember, other than Uruguayan prospect Guillermo Varela, Moyes has only brought in Marouane Fellaini. United are a club with deep pockets and I guarantee they’ll be reaching into them once the transfer window opens. And when they do, you just know they’ll buy wisely.

So for me, there’s absolutely nothing to get hysterical about as far as Davie Moyes and Manchester United are concerned. I thought he was the right man for the job when he got it and I still think he’s the right man now.

And that’s despite the panic some people who should know better are obviously experiencing right now.