As Premier League champions Manchester United now focus on a major fight to claim a top-four place, it is understandable for critics to question the ambition and quality within the Old Trafford ranks. So too the future of manager David Moyes, just nine months since following in the daunting footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mikael Silvestre had nine years at United under Ferguson, winning five league titles and the Champions League in 2008, but he recalls tough times and doubts about their character and credentials too, namely when they failed to win a trophy and finished third behind Arsenal and Liverpool in the 2001-2002 campaign.
It is why he believes Moyes should be given time to turn them into contenders again and why he hopes key men such as Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie won’t lead a mass exodus if they fail to claim a place in next season’s Champions League.
“Manchester United are used to success and not used to seasons like this. It’s a worry if that phase lasts too long,” Silvestre told Sport360°. “It has been difficult and the top four would be a good start for David Moyes this season. You can’t expect him to switch from Everton, come to United and win the league like a piece of cake.
“You want to qualify for the Champions League and the Glazers, maybe they won’t be as patient as [ex-chairman] Martin Edwards and Sir Bobby Charlton were with Sir Alex.
“Expectations are high, but I think his future would depend on what financial effect it would have on the club if they don’t make the top four. And you also ask the question, who would replace him?
“I think they should give him some time to build his team. For me it’s at least a two-year transition. When I was at United we had seasons when we didn’t win anything and everybody, the top players, stayed because you know it’s United and things will turn around. On their day they can beat anybody, but it’s about consistency and they just can’t get it in the Premier League.”
Moyes has been left forlorn and frustrated as his players have failed to reach the heights that saw them win a 20th top-flight title, leading to him to start planning for the future with the record signing of Juan Mata and drawing up a summer transfer wish-list of top young talent.
Rooney is out of contract at the end of next season, but talks are ongoing with the striker about a new deal, and he could be placated further by replacing the outgoing Nemanja Vidic as captain. After a season affected by injury, van Persie’s future also remains unclear.
There will be inevitable change, admits Silvestre, but, as United face another of his former clubs Arsenal – smarting after a 5-1 loss at Liverpool – at the Emirates, he added: “I think they will both stay, yes, because United means something for those guys. You can see it by the way they play, it means something.
“In future I think they will challenge for the title again. It’s like Arsenal. There was a big gap to when they last won the championship [in 2004] and now they are in the title race and everyone sees them winning it this season," added the founder of Schools for Hope, which builds and staffs schools in poor parts of the world.
“It could be Arsenal's season, but it’s all about mentality. They have good players, but the atmosphere in the dressing room that’s what makes the difference. The dynamic comes from what’s happening between the guys, the spirit and confidence after good and bad results.
“And when you are such a big club, like United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool, it’s just a matter of time before you get back to the top.”
