David Moyes faces first competitive game as manager of Man United
Despite lacklustre form in pre-season games, new Manchester United boss goes into the Community Shield against Wigan with confidence
David Moyes will take charge of his first competitive game as Manchester United manager today when his new club tackle FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield.
Moyes succeeded Alex Ferguson on July 1 following the legendary Scot's shock retirement and the 50-year-old has endured a challenging start to his Old Trafford tenure.
His chief transfer target, Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, has spurned United's advances, while unsettled striker Wayne Rooney has been the subject of two unsuccessful bids from Chelsea.
It's Sir Alex who will deserve a lot of the credit if we're successful at Wembley
The former Everton manager has also seen his side win just two of seven pre-season games, but the English champions will start as strong favourites against a Wigan team who slipped into the Championship after stunning Manchester City in May's FA Cup final.
Victory over Wigan would give United the first piece of silverware of the new season, but Moyes says the credit for a positive outcome beneath the Wembley arch would have to go to his illustrious predecessor. "I will be trying to make this the first trophy of many. But, if we win, it's really something that will have been earned by Sir Alex," he said.
"It's because of his good work in the Premier League last season that we're in the Community Shield. I'll do my best to finish off the job but it's Sir Alex who will deserve a lot of the credit if we're successful at Wembley."
The fans travelling to west London will be eager to discover how Moyes intends to set up his side for the new campaign, after he experimented with different line-ups during the tours of Asia and Sweden.