Manchester United's David Moyes refusing to panic over their worst start in 24 years
Manchester United's David Moyes refusing to panic over their worst start in 24 years
"If we continue to do the right things, the results will come - no doubt about that" says new boss before Shakhtar clash
Keep calm and carry on: David Moyes was upbeat at his pre-match press conference
Matthew Peters
David Moyes has told Manchester United fans not to panic, writes David McDonnell in Donetsk.
New manager Moyes insists he will turn around the club's early-season form.
Reigning Premier League champions United have lost three of their opening six league games to slump to 12th place - their worst start to a campaign for 24 years.
But ahead of Wednesday's tricky Champions League
tie away to Shakhtar Donetsk here in Ukraine, Moyes was adamant he will
get it right and ensure United are soon back in the hunt for trophies.
"I've been in situations very similar to this at my old clubs - Everton and Preston North End," said Moyes.
"[To
get out of it] You do the right things and I haven't changed what I've
done. You continue to do the things and the results will come, there's
no doubt about that."
United will welcome back leading striker
Robin van Persie, who has not started any of their last three games
after suffering a thigh injury.
The
Old Trafford giants' 30-goal hero of last season's charge to the title
is expected to give Moyes a boost by making the starting line-up here.
"He's fit," said Moyes. "We'll make a decision tomorrow on whether we start him.
"He's
as good as anybody I've seen. His movement and his football common
sense on the pitch is fantastic, as well as the positions he picks up.
"He's a great goal-scorer. He scores all types of goals."
Find out more about what awaits United in Ukraine by reading our Shakhtar Donetsk scouting report.
The last time United came to Ukraine, they swept aside Dynamo Kiev 4-2 en route to winning the 2008 European Cup Final.
They
arrived in the Ukrainian capital back then on a seven-match winning run
in the Premier League, which they were also to claim that season, for a
10th time, under Sir Alex Ferguson.
But for a controversial FA
Cup exit quarter-final at home to Portsmouth - they were denied a
penalty when Cristiano Ronaldo was taken out by Sylvain Distin - they
may well have gone on to repeat the historic 1999 Treble triumph.
What a difference six years make.
United's brooding, self-recriminatory mindset could not be in greater contrast to that of their last visit.
The
seeds of a potential crisis have been sown and another comprehensive
defeat, here against the Ukrainian champions, would serve only to
increase the pressure on the beleaguered Moyes.
But Moyes came out
fighting, insisting he will turn the club's fortunes around and
overcome his early teething problems as he gets to know his players
better and becomes more familiar with the unique demands of managing
United.
"We're getting to know them and understanding them much
more," said Moyes. "We're getting a feel for them and the one thing I do
know is that they are top players and that will never change.
"That's
always the thing at United. Everybody is interested in them. They're a
talking point throughout the world and that's why it's a great honour
for me to be involved with the club." Pain Rooney: Agony for the United star as they lose to West Brom at home
Reuters
Moyes may have been a bit too honest at the weekend in admitting he did not have the requisite five world-class players in his squad to win the Champions League, but he said he will do everything within his power to take United as far as they can in this season's tournament.
"I
said to win the Champions League you need a certain amount of
world-class players," said Moyes. "That's something we'll try to do.
"Of
course we'll try to win the Champions League - that's part of the job
at Manchester United and that's something I'll try to make happen."
Moyes
said he was relishing this chance for him and his players to put the
West Brom defeat behind them with a convincing display against Shakhtar,
conquerers of Arsenal and Chelsea in recent seasons.
However,
Shakhtar, with a core of quick-passing and quick-thinking Brazilian
players underpinned by a disciplined defence, are arguably the last side
in the world a team beset by United's current wretched form would want
to face.
Click here to get the lowdown on United's opponents with our Shakhtar scouting report.
Nonetheless,
Moyes was upbeat as he looked ahead to only his second game in the
Champions League proper, having opened with a 4-2 win over Bayer
Leverkusen at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.
"I'm looking forward
to it," he said. "It's a game between two teams who have started the
group well. It's a difficult place to come and play. They've got a very
experienced coach, but I'm looking forward to it.
"We'll be
looking for a balance of experience and youth. We'll try to introduce
new young players at the right times but also rely on the great
experience many of the players have at Manchester United."
United
midfielder Michael Carrick echoed his boss and, referring to their
unconvincing start to life under Moyes, said: "What's gone on has gone
on.
"Whether we win or lose the last game, we always deal with it
and move on. We've had a good start in this competition. It's a tough
place but we're looking forward to it and confident going into the
game."
Moyes hit back when informed of Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu's claim earlier in the day that United's poor start to life under their new boss was down to his propensity for rotation, thus not allowing his players to develop any consistency of performance.
"It never caused Sir Alex Ferguson any problems," replied the Scot.
"Manchester
United have always had big squad of players and it's my job to use them
and find out what is suitable. And, as I said earlier, I'm getting to
know them much better."
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester United: Probable teams
Shakhtar Donetsk Pyatov; Srna, Rakitskiy, Kucher, Shevchuk; Hubschman, Fernando; Costa, Teixeira, Taison; Adriano. Manchester United De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Fellaini; Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck; van Persie.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester United: Three to watch
Alex Teixeira
Scored both goals in Shakhtar's opening 2-0 win away to Real Sociedad,
and also scored the opener in last season's 2-1 win over Chelsea. A
naturally attacking midfielder, he drops deep to help defend but is most
comfortable pushing forward and utilising his goal threat. Fernando An uncompromising, no-nonsense
defensive midfielder with a robust approach. Joined Shakhtar from
Brazil's Gremio in the summer for £10m to replace Fernandinho, who was
sold to Manchester City. At 21, he has already earned seven caps for
Brazil and looks a player of real stature. Douglas Costa
Once tracked by Manchester United, as well as Arsenal and Manchester
City, Costa is a wide-man who likes to cut inside and run at opponents
when in possession. As with team-mate Teixeira, he has a habit of
scoring important goals and United's vulnerable defence will need to be
alert to his threat.
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