Blaming Sir Alex Ferguson presence for Manchester United problems is a 'pathetic excuse', says Bryan Robson

The former manager has been a regular onlooker during David Moyes' difficult start to life at Old Trafford

Friday 24 January 2014 09:33 EST
Comments
Sir Alex Ferguson’s presence at most United games has cast a shadow over David Moyes
Sir Alex Ferguson’s presence at most United games has cast a shadow over David Moyes (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has labelled it a “pathetic excuse” to blame ex-boss Alex Ferguson's presence at matches for the club's current struggles.

After ceding the managerial reins to David Moyes in the close season, Ferguson has taken up a role as a club director and is frequently pictured in the stands watching United.

The sight of Ferguson peering down from the directors' box has divided opinion with some fans comparing Moyes's situation with the one that faced Wilf McGuinness when he replaced Matt Busby in 1969.

"To see Sir Alex at matches shows that he's got great support for the club," Robson, who spent 13 years at United, told Sky Sports.

"For anybody trying to make an excuse and say 'Sir Alex is in the stand watching me play. I'm going to wilt' - well why didn't you wilt when he was manager?

"It's just weak excuses that the media and some ex-players and managers have come out with. It's a pathetic excuse.

"If Sir Alex wasn't going to games and wasn't giving David Moyes support, it would show he doesn't care, is selfish and is getting on with his own life. Instead, it shows he does want to see the club do well."

United have had a torrid start to the season and are seventh in the Premier League. They exited the FA Cup at the start of January and suffered a painful League Cup semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Sunderland on Wednesday.

Ferguson's presence at games has drawn unwanted comparisons with McGuinness's ill-fated spell in charge of the club.

Busby remained "upstairs" at United in the late 1960s in the same way that Ferguson has done today with both witnessing at close quarters their successors' early struggles in the job.

Moyes is not expected to suffer the same fate as McGuinness, who was sacked in 1970 and replaced by his predecessor.

The former Everton manager, who failed to win a trophy in his 11 years at the Merseyside club, has frequently maintained that Ferguson, who retired in May after 26 trophy-laden seasons at the club, is a valuable sounding board.

Robson, who is often pictured sitting alongside Ferguson and another former United great Bobby Charlton, added: "I've been so busy over the last few months that I haven't been in the training ground as much as I'd have liked, but we're just there to support David Moyes.

"It's up to David if he wants to ask any opinions. If not, we're just watching as supporters and we want to see them do really well. I like to chat to the lads and have a bit of banter with them and watch them train."

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in