London: It was when he was alone for the first time in the office vacated by Alex Ferguson that the magnitude of the daunting - but exhilarating - job became apparent to David Moyes. Manchester United had a new manager for the first time since 1986, and the domain where Ferguson had presided over years of supremacy now belonged to Moyes.
"Sitting in the chair for the first time felt odd," Moyes recalled ahead of the champions' Premier League opener at Swansea on Saturday. "With nobody looking, I thought I would have to see how it feels in case anybody thought I looked stupid."
After 11 years at Everton, Moyes is still feeling his way into the United job and trying to prove a worthy successor to the greatest of British managers. "I still go into the office and feel Sir Alex is still here," Moyes said. "And he will be."
Ferguson handpicked Moyes as his successor, calling the Everton manager to his house in April to let him in on the secret that he was retiring at the end of the season - and telling Moyes that he would be the new United manager. The succession began officially after United eased to a record-extending 20th English title.
As a manager who won 38 titles inside 27 years, the 71-year-old Ferguson became the face and symbol of the modern United, and escaping his shadow will be hard. "It might take me 18 months to two years to get things changed around," Moyes said. The 50-year-old Scotsman will continue to tap into the wisdom of his compatriot, who is swapping the dressing room for the boardroom at Old Trafford.
"I went to see him at home the other day, he was great," Moyes said. "He is recovering from his hip operation. I will use him for advice. He will be a great mentor." He could also still play a part in shaping the team.
Moyes' biggest challenge since his first official day in Ferguson's office on July 1 has been strengthening the squad before the Sept. 2 transfer deadline. But the headline-grabbing signings have not transpired despite the club having pursued Barcelona midfielders Cesc Fabregas, who committed his future to the Spanish champions, and Thiago Alcantara, who chose Bayern Munich instead.
In the future, Moyes said could turn to Ferguson to help push deals over the line, using his standing in the game to reinforce the allure of United to hesitant transfer targets. "This club has ways and means of attracting the top players to the club," Moyes said. "And if we needed to use Sir Alex he would be more than happy to help."
At the same time, though, Moyes is trying to carve out his own history at United and prove that he was the right man for the job. It seems to grate the former Celtic defender that some question his credentials, pointing to his limited success as a manager in terms of trophies.
Moyes won the third-tier title with Preston in 2000, before going to Everton where he impressed during more a decade under financial constraints without winning any honors. "Sometimes it's forgotten I have managed in the Premier League for 11 years so I am relatively experienced in those terms," said Moyes, who doesn't count Sunday's Community Shield victory over Wigan as his first United title.
"In my mind I have landed the biggest job. Yes, I am a rookie at Manchester United but I am not a rookie overall. I hope I am able to show that as the seasons progress." After Moyes' potentially tricky league opener at Swansea on Saturday, there are games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City among the next four.
Moyes complained that the tough start looked to have been devised by the Premier League. "Well the old manager told me those sort of things happened," Moyes quipped, referring to Ferguson's renowned clashes with the footballing authorities. The league insisted the fixtures process was "fair and above board."
During the opening weeks of the season, the reaction of fans will only be one indicator of the level of confidence in Moyes. Another will come from Wall Street, with United listed on the New York Stock Exchange, although the American Glazer family retains control of the club.
"I have really good owners who don't panic ... who will just shrug (losses) aside and move on," Moyes said. Don't read into that, though, that winning doesn't matter. United has become accustomed to silverware under Ferguson, who ended the 26-year wait for a league title in 1993.
And the mindset of a team famed for its thrilling comebacks and late goals in "Fergie Time" must be retained. "That's why there is a government health warning that comes with this job," Moyes said. "There is an expectancy and that is to try and win. ... The most important and impressive thing (Ferguson) has left is the winning mentality."
And even if Moyes does manage to win titles in his first season, he knows he'll still never have the stature of his predecessor. "It will not get better than Sir Alex Ferguson," Moyes said. "It just won't."
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