Sport

It’s a different beast: David Moyes will realise how big Manchester United job is in first few games, says Andy Cole

By John McDougall

David Moyes will realise just how big a job the Manchester United managerial role is in his first few games, according to ex-Red Devils hotshot striker Andy Cole.

The Scot embarks this week with his new team on a pre-season Far East tour and faces his first competitive game against FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield.

And 41-year-old Cole – who played under Moyes’ predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson – believes the Glaswegian will be eager to get his United managerial career off to a winning start.

“Those first few games, you realise how big a club Manchester United is. I’m not saying Everton is not a big club, as it is, but at United, it’s different,” he said.

“When he was at Everton, it was a different entity, so straight away he knows that but no doubt he’ll come in and do a sterling job.

“Fingers- crossed he’ll be able to win something soon, like the Community Shield. If we can win it – not to be disrespectful to Wigan – hopefully we can move forward and have a successful season.

“You want to win your first trophy as soon as possible and it’s a great chance of doing that.”

Despite spending more than ten years in charge of Everton, Moyes was unable to win any silverware at Goodison Park, taking them to the 2009 FA Cup final.

With Moyes succeeding the most successful manager of modern times at Old Trafford, Cole feels he is under pressure to succeed but knows the Red Devils will be patient with him.

“It’s not for me to be judging him – I think the media are already doing that,” he said following Manchester United’s announcement of their partnership with Russian airline Aeroflot.

“No doubt the media will all be saying if he does not win the championship, he’s a failure.

“I think David knows he has to hit the ground running but he’s been given a six-year contract and has inherited a squad that has won the championship.”

Image courtesy of BBC Sport, via YouTube, with thanks.

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