The manager's high-tech scouting set-up with its extensive list of possible transfer targets has impressed the owners
David Moyes continues to have the firm backing of the Glazer family despite his dismal inaugural campaign as the Manchester United manager. The American owners are disappointed yet remain calm about Moyes' performance since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the season. Even after the dire 2-0 defeat by Olympiakos in the Champions League and a title defence that has United 11 points from qualifying for next season's competition, the view is that this is a "once in a lifetime" happening.
Such is the faith in Moyes that the ambition for 2014-15 is not to finish in a Champions League position but to win a 21st domestic title.
The support Moyes enjoys from the Glazers is based on the depth and detail with which he has restructured the club. Moyes has reconfigured United's scouting system, with the 50-year-old creating a dedicated nerve-centre at Carrington that resembles the "bunker" from which he plotted player acquisition at Everton when manager.
Ferguson's was a more intuitive approach that centred on tapping into the knowledge of his chief scout, Jim Lawlor, rather than having detailed files drawn up on players.
Moyes has installed a bespoke facility that houses whiteboards, computers, high-definition screens, iPads and other state-of-the-art digital technology at United's training ground. This allows the manager easy access to data on players of all positions, ages and career trajectory from around the world, while also maintaining immediate contact with a global network of scouts.
An illustration of how the system works can been seen in Moyes' need to strengthen at centre-back, with Nemanja Vidic leaving and Rio Ferdinand's future in the balance. Scouts provide differing targets who are established players at tier-one and tier-two clubs or less heralded options of potential only.
The most important recruit to the set-up is Robbie Cooke, Moyes's chief scout at Everton, who joined last summer and reports to Lawlor. Yet as in other areas, the manager is particularly hands-on, executing duties Ferguson rowed back on during his 26-year tenure.
The Glazers have been disappointed at how Moyes's first season in charge has unfolded. The sentiment is shared by Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, who had not envisaged quite how poorly United would fare. There is, though, an acceptance that a kind of perfect storm of factors have contributed to United's predicament. These include an ageing squad, deficits in central midfield and in the wide positions, plus the inevitable transition after the departure of English football's greatest manager.
Lessons have been learned from last summer and a disastrous transfer strategy. There will be greater clarity and swifter action in the market. There is a confidence that no repeat will occur of the botched attempts to sign Everton's Leighton Baines and Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera, or the scenario that had United scrambling to sign Marouane Fellaini on deadline day for £4m more than his £23.5m release clause.
The lists of four players, in descending order of preference, in each required position have already been drawn up. United are focused on left-back, centre-back, central midfield and in the forward department owing to doubts over the futures of Robin van Persie and Javier Hernández.
The coup of prising Juan Mata from Chelsea, a direct rival, in January was indicative of the progress Moyes – and Woodward – have made and, with the size of the transfer fund available to the manager, there is an optimism the summer will yield the big signings required.
There is also an awareness that United's profile means the club can be used as leverage by players hoping to secure better terms. Toni Kroos, the midfielder Moyes retains an interest in, is one believed to be doing so during his contract negotiations with Bayern Munich.
Beyond Vidic and Ferdinand, Patrice Evra could also depart, though both the left-back and club have an option for him to sign for another year. United also hold an option on Ferdinand, which expires in mid-May, though the Frenchman is currently more likely than the centre-back to remain.
Even if Evra does stay, Moyes will still pursue a left-back, with Southampton's Luke Shaw the No1 choice, though there is competition from Manchester City and Chelsea, who are in pole position to land him. Shaw is a Chelsea fan, with his parents living close to the club's Cobham base.
There has been no offer yet of a new deal for Ryan Giggs and there is a break clause in the five-year contract Nani signed last September.
Moyes believes Wilfried Zaha has a chance to be a long-term United player despite his occasional tardy time-keeping and his loan to Cardiff City.
via Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com http://ift.tt/1dB0sZX
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