David Moyes began the season with high hopes, unfortunately that has not been the case with Manchester United. Given their current standing in the league table Manchester United has not performed this poorly, they are also title defenders. However;United are backing him for now, of course they are, they will continue to kill him with kindness right up to the point where they unplug the support mechanism and decide that the whole episode has been a mistake. That, in turn, involves acceptance that Ferguson might have made an error of judgment, which is why Moyes is getting to play the dangling man for longer than most other managers would be permitted. But no matter how compassionate the club wants to be, no matter how much it reveres Ferguson and hopes to see his planned legacy come to fruition, a decision will have to be made soon because Manchester United has stopped working. Moyes is not just experiencing difficulty turning the ocean liner around, he has the vessel headed for the shore. While Wayne Rooney has been placated at extraordinary expense, Robin van Persie is now sounding mutinous. It may be a while before the inoffensive Juan Mata does the same, but the £37m signing’s initial impact has been negligible and his move to Manchester has not resulted in a recall to the Spain.