Man, U fans are absurd

Jose Mourinho has come to Sir Alex Ferguson's defence after fans pointed the finger squarely at the former Manchester United manager for choosing David Moyes as his successor.

But it's the fans who need a reality check.

Those United fans who blame Moyes for the club's disastrous season, and who want him sacked, are a ludicrous bunch.

To me, they are just spoilt brats who are used to the club's success and have never experienced anything like this.

The decision to fly a plane with the banner "Wrong One - Moyes Out" over Old Trafford in the match against Aston Villa yesterday simply left a bad taste in my mouth.

Compare them to Liverpool and Arsenal fans who know what it feels like to not win trophies for years, those United fans should hang their heads in shame.

Despite the clubs' long title drought, Liverpool and Arsenal fans have never rallied for their managers to be sacked.

They have patiently stuck by their managers over the years and their loyalty looks to be repaid soon, with Liverpool challenging for the title and Arsenal the hot favourites to win the FA Cup.

United are not like Chelsea, whose fans seem to wield the power to sack or keep a manager.

But no one is bigger than Manchester United - certainly not the fans.

Instead of blaming Ferguson or Moyes, I think it's the senior players who need to take a good look at themselves.

They reached the peak with Ferguson and when Moyes came in, there was nothing left in the tank for them to offer the new manager.

Nemanja Vidic isn't the solid defender he used to be and Patrice Evra doesn't have the pace anymore to defend well or attack on the wings.

The senior players have given all they can to the club.

That is why it's time they should leave the club to look for new challenges.

If you ask me, Moyes needs to be given time to build his own squad.

I feel Juan Mata, who scored his first goal for United yesterday, is a good signing. But he needs the support of the players around him.

Ferguson never said that his replacement could retain the Premiership title in his first season in charge.

INTEGRITY

He saw that Moyes had integrity and said that he could build the club's future, which means it will take time.

Even Ferguson didn't have any success in his first season, or even the season after that.

That's not to say that Moyes should be absolved of any blame.

He made a mistake in dispensing with the services of Ferguson's team - assistant Mike Phelan and first-team coach Rene Meulensteen - and bringing in his coaches from Everton - assistant manager Steve Round, coach Jimmy Lumsden and first-team coach Phil Neville.

Having said that, I expect the club to stick with him and give him the financial backing in the summer to build his own squad.

Meanwhile, the fans need to learn to be patient and, like what Fergie said, back the new manager.

npsports@sph.com.sg