The pressure continues to grow on Manchester United manager David Moyes with a banner protest by fans planned for today’s game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Here, Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage, discuss the possible consequences if United lose to Villa and then get beaten by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter finals on Tuesday.
Andy Gray: David Moyes is hanging on to his job by his finger nails; there is absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. The results against Liverpool and Manchester City, United’s two arch-rivals, must have been particularly hard for everybody at Old Trafford to accept.
So I don’t think Moyes can contemplate getting beaten by Villa with Bayern Munich on the horizon in the Champions League quarter-finals. If they lose against Villa and get embarrassed by Bayern Munich then I think his position might be untenable and the United directors will be forced into making a change. I hope that doesn’t happen and I actually don’t think they will lose today.
If they can then put in a good performance against the team considered the best in Europe then I think he will survive until the end of the season at least, which is the minimum he deserves. I see some fans are planning to get a plane to fly over Old Trafford today with a banner saying ‘Wrong One – Moyes Out’. Personally, I think that is pathetic.
He is coping with enough, getting flak from all angles, without this, not that he will pay much attention to it. Even some former United players are putting him and his team under tremendous pressure with their comments on what is going wrong. He needs help, not criticism from players who should know better.
Nine times out of 10 I would predict a United win against Villa today. Historically, Villa are usually easy meat for United, certainly at Old Trafford. However, I have a nagging feeling in my head that, in the current climate, Villa might get something despite the fact they were awful at home last week when they got thumped by Stoke. They are not bad away from home and will worry United. 1-1.
Richard Keys: Whatever you hear coming out of Old Trafford, David Moyes is in big trouble. I understand there was a row prior to the Manchester derby when he apparently picked Shinji Kagawa in his starting XI but then called everybody back and announced he had changed it and was starting with Tom Cleverley instead. He then, I hear, changed his mind again at half time, although we have to believe what we we are told that Cleverley didn’t reappear because he was injured.
This is one of the reasons he is being nicknamed ‘Dithering Dave’.
If he survives the season I think he will have done well, but I think he will be gone after the Bayern Munich game. Personally, I would change it now because United have nothing to lose. Moyes looks absolutely shot. I would go into the game against Bayern with Ryan Giggs in charge.
I think the fans would rally behind it.
You could see, after the defeat to City, that they have had enough. There is nothing left of United’s season. They are not going beyond the Champions League quarter-finals, they are not going to finish any higher than sixth so why not get rid now, reassess and then decide what you are going to do from that point?
I know Sir Alex Ferguson chose Moyes as his successor and I think he has to take the lion’s share of the blame for all this. He left the place barren. There are no players coming through and what there is just isn’t good enough. They would not have won the title last year without Robin van Persie and the difference this year is that he has been injured and not around. I have some sympathy for Moyes but it just doesn’t look like it is going to work. I don’t think the players are playing for him and the longer they prolong this the worse it is going to get, starting today when I reckon Villa will win 1-0.
Arsenal v Man City
AG: City were almost arrogantly dominant against Manchester United and it spoke volumes of how far they have come. Arsenal have faltered a little and although they are not out of the title race I don’t think they have got what it takes to string together a run good enough to win the title. City are playing with belief and a swagger and should win 2-1.
RK: Arsenal are due a performance after a wretched few days and will be desperate for a good result if only to hang on to fourth place with Everton breathing down their necks. As buoyant as City are I still think they are mentally fragile and I always feel they are only ever a minute away from a cataclysmic breakdown internally. Arsenal are out of the title race but they can win this 2-1.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
AG: Tony Pulis made a difference when he went in but Premier League survival has become a tough battle for them. They have to play four of the top six teams in their run-in so it’s not looking great. Chelsea will go there with confidence and will come away with a 2-0 victory.
RK: Chelsea were terrific last week and have the bit between their teeth. They are ruthless when required and I just don’t think Palace will be able to cope. I agree, 2-0.
Liverpool v Tottenham
AG: Liverpool have won seven in a row. That’s great football but somewhere along the way they are going to trip up, and it might be against Spurs. Liverpool looked a bit edgy against Sunderland when they just about fell over the line and got the job done. The closer they get to the finishing line the more the pressure will build. I think Spurs are good enough to slow down Liverpool’s title charge. 2-2.
RK: Tottenham could find a performance to surprise us but I expect Liverpool to win. They are really hot right now. Only Man City have won eight in a row this season but I think Liverpool can do it at Anfield. 2-1.
Fulham v Everton
AG: I can’t see anything other than an Everton win here although they do not have the best away form which has cost them this season. They know they can keep the pressure on Arsenal in the battle for fourth place so I am going for a 2-0 away win.
RK: On current form it has to be Everton. Fulham are awful and aren’t going to get any better this season. 2-0 is a good shout.
Southampton v Newcastle
AG: Home win, all day long. Newcastle looked very average last week and Southampton have too many good players. 2-0 home win.
RK: I said last week that Newcastle look like they have given up on their season and I still think that is the case. Southampton continue to impress, particularly at home. 2-0.
Stoke v Hull
AG: Hull made life difficult for West Ham in midweek, despite having their goalkeeper sent off, proving yet again how difficult they are to beat but I just think that Stoke with their tails up after a good result at Aston Villa will be too good for them. 3-1 home win.
RK: Stoke surprised me last week with a great win over Villa but Hull are a dogged side and I think this game will end 1-1.
Swansea v Norwich
AG: This is a massive game for two struggling sides. A draw will be good enough for Norwich but Swansea, who last won a game in February against Cardiff need a win and I think they’ll get it. 1-0.
RK: Swansea are a rudderless ship although they got a good result against Arsenal in midweek. Norwich now look like a side that can survive. 2-1 away win.
West Brom v Cardiff
AG: West Brom have got to find a win from somewhere. They have had 13 draws this season and have won just five. Cardiff are really struggling so I think the Baggies, with home advantage, will win 2-1.
RK: I am going to sit on the fence for this one because it is extremely difficult to call. Cardiff have looked a lot better recently and were unlucky at Everton and Pepe Mel is probably due a good result. It could go either way. 2-2.
Sunderland v West Ham
AG: This is a must-win game for Sunderland because five of the top eight teams in this league have yet to play them. If they don’t beat West Ham they are down. Because of that I think they will win 1-0.
RK: I am really worried for Sunderland now. I thought they might survive for a while but now I am not sure. They have struggled for the past few weeks and look like a team that has stopped believing. The Hammers are much improved and I think they’ll win this 1-0.
