1. Win the fans over - There has been strong support from the majority of United supporters following Moyes's appointment. But each and every one of them will point towards the nagging statistic that Moyes is yet to win any silverware. Anywhere but Old Trafford and this would not be an issue. Ferguson has topped up United's trophy cabinet year in year out and its got used to being greedy. Moyes has to keep feeding the beast and whilst people claiming he'll last just one season will be proved wrong, regardless of United's performance next season, he'll need something to show by at least the half way mark in his six year contract.
2. Who's coming, who's going - Moyes will have a difference of opinion when it comes to certain players and he won't be afraid to act on this. Marouane Fellaini must be the most likely candidate to make the move with his manager and having seen Anderson's lethargic performance against Chelsea it would be no surprise if Moyes decided to cut United's losses on a man who, albeit unlucky with injuries, has not lived up to his potential. Nani's situation needs resolving, as of course does Wayne Rooney's.
3. Phil Jones's best position - Phil Jones has been put in more positions this season then a Karma Sutra expert on a lazy Sunday morning. Though it's useful for United that Jones can be utilised in numerous positions, England would benefit from him nailing down a particular position next season and his most assured performances this campaign have come at centre-half. Whatever Moyes's decision, it is important for Jones's long term growth that he plays regularly in the same position next season.
4. Backroom staff - It it ain't broke don't fix it goes the saying. Mike Phelan has been an excellent assistant under Fergie these last few seasons and if Moyes is comfortable with keeping the majority of the backroom staff unchanged then it saves a lot of time and money. Still, if he feels the need to bring his own men in then he has to do so with confidence; he's the boss and must show he has the character to make big calls.
5. The enigma that is Wayne Rooney - How do you solve a problem like Wayne? If one man can it's Moyes. He knows what makes Rooney tick and if the Scot considers Rooney central to his plans then we can expect another hasty u-turn on the striker's part.Their relationship has been reported by sections of the media as 'strained' however and if Moyes's has guarantees that he can use the funds from a Rooney transfer he might just do so.
6. The old guard - Paul Scholes is likely to hang his boots up for good at the end of this season but Ryan Giggs has stated his desire to play on. Whether he was made aware of Ferguson's impending retirement is anyone's guess but he might be forced to consider his United future in the wake of Moyes's appointment. Moyes would surely be grateful for a few more years of the Welshman's services but Giggs might find it difficult to embrace a fresh approach at his age.
7. Wilfred Zaha's immediate future - Ferguson's last major signing at United, Zaha will be wondering where he stands in the grand scheme of things after Ferguson's retirement. If Moyes rates Zaha as highly as Ferguson did then he could yet feature for the first team next season. But Moyes might see it wise to sent him out on loan to a lesser Premier League side, perhaps Everton, to give him some vital experience.
8. Find an effective equivalent to the 'hairdryer' - Most of
United's squad will have experienced the hairdryer in some form and nothing
really comes close in terms of producing a reaction. Moyes has the steely eyed
glare down to a tee; perfected during his time at Everton where he had to suffer the woeful performances of Andy Van Der Meyde and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. But when United need firing up he'll need to find something a little more stirring.
9. Ignore the press - Even if United win 3-0 on
the opening day of the season the newspapers are going to find faults in their
performance. Ferguson would have done this, Ferguson would have done that. Moyes is a strong character and he has to stay strong when his back is against the wall, which it inevitably will be at some stage next season.
10. Set himself a target - One trophy next year would be suffice for anyone following in Ferguson's footsteps. Moyes has no Champions League experience and will likely learn some painful lessons playing against the elite of Europe next season. His target should be to retain the Premier League at all costs and fans will be desperate for him to oversee a smooth domestic transition, especially in the league. If he can do this the rest will follow.
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