David Moyes will officially start his new job as the manager of Manchester United tomorrow, almost two months after it was announced that he would replace Sir Alex Ferguson in the role.
For the first time in just under 27 years, and the first time during the tenure of the Premier League, Manchester United will start their new season without the 71-year-old Scot in charge.
Before the start of Manchester United’s defence of their Premier League title, the Red Devils have quite a tough pre-season schedule to contend with. They are set to travel to Bangkok, Sydney, Yokohama, Osaka, Hong Kong, and Stockholm before they face Sevilla at Old Trafford and then take on Wigan at Wembley.
Moyes isn’t the only new manager to take control of a Premier League team that finished in the top half of the table last season. Manuel Pellegrini has replaced Roberto Mancini at Manchester City, Robert Martinez has taken Moyes’ spot at Everton, Jose Mourinho has returned to Stamford Bridge, whilst Mark Hughes is now in charge at Stoke City, after Tony Pulis was sacked.
Moyes first port of call will be to convince Wayne Rooney to stay at Old Trafford, after the England international handed in a transfer request for the second time in just three seasons at the end of last season. This was due to the fact that the likes of Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa had eclipsed his importance at the club.
Manchester United’s opening five games under Moyes couldn’t be much more difficult. They star away to Swansea City, who last season won the League Cup, before hosting Mourinho’s Chelsea and then traveling to their bitter rivals Liverpool within the space of seven days.
After that they face Crystal Palace at home before taking on Manchester City at the Etihad stadium.
How do you think David Moyes will fare in his opening 5 games?
