Amidst a flurry of newspaper speculation over the imminent future of Manchester United manager David Moyes, the club today issued a terse statement which only fuelled the flames of rumour which sparked this afternoon.
A sad 2-0 defeat against Moyes’ old club Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday appears to have been the last straw for their former manager as he seemed to be unable to motivate the Reds to beat his old team who are now challenging for Champions League football under their new manager Roberto Martinez.
Today, United could only confirm that Moyes had not been sacked, with the statement: “We do not comment on speculation.” merely fanning the flames of a media machine that will not stop burning until the club either openly back their man or sack him.
Moyes record at United stands at 17 wins, 6 draws and 11 defeats as of today – United’s worst performance in the Premier League for two decades. A plane was chartered by a group of fans a few weeks ago to urge the club to replace “The Chosen One”.
With nothing revealed to the New York Stock Exchange tonight, on which United’s parent company Manchester United plc is floated, the next official notice we hear about the fate of Moyes could arrive at 2.30pm British Summer Time on Tuesday when the NYSE opens.
United’s share price had been steady this season despite the worrying decline of the Red Devils from title winners to a probable seventh place finish – probably not even qualifying for the Europa League next season.
Without a firm statement to the NYSE, however, the share price may take a tumble as rumours of Moyes’ expected payoff conditions reach the media and the saga rumbles on throughout the week.
It will be difficult to see how United can salvage some hope from a deeply disappointing season with only four games to go but some fans may be cheered by the presence of Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville in the technical area against Norwich City on Saturday tea time if current rumours are to be believed.