How David Moyes will react to crisis

It has been an unlucky and unhappy new year for Manchester United with three games played and three losses. Today United at home face Swansea, the team which dumped them out of the FA Cup six days ago on the virtue of Wilfried Bony 90th minute goal. With many commenting about the David Moyes capability to handle pressure and doubts are growing over the 50 year old Scott who has started the year with three defeats out of three, whether he was the right man to replace Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford hot seat.

My mind goes back to Ferguson's farewell speech and his final request to the fans was to stand by the new manager and he reminded  when he was going through bad times here at the club, everybody stood by him. "All my staff stood by me, the players stood by me, you stood by me, and your job now is to stand by our new manager. That is important." Ferguson, said that day.

'BELIEVE is the Need for the Moment'

The last time United lost three in a row was in the 2000-01 season and it hardly mattered then because they had already won the Premier League title however this time it’s a different story altogether and with United have just done for the first time since 1992, four defeats in five home matches and trailing the league leaders by 11 points at the start of a new year.

But it would be wrong to believe it was always plain sailing for Ferguson during his long reign at United. One of the biggest crisis moments was midway through the 2005-06 season when United finished bottom of their Champions League group and had string of poor results in domestic games. In the January transfer window of 2006, he made two key signings; defenders Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra and the team finished winning the League Cup during that season.

With host of player suffering from injury and dip in form the January transfer window is a good opportunity to strengthen the team. Red’s have Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw as main targets during this transfer window. Reports are also suggesting Ross Barkley is a stunning £50million target for the Reds, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Today’s game and the following weekend’s trip to Chelsea would be a test of character for the United team, Manager specially and whether United were right to let Ferguson handpick his own successor.

BEST FIVE: Manchester United in 2013

The Red Devils ended 2013 in style with six consecutive victories in all competitions and David Moyes will be hoping for more of the same to start the new year when United entertain Tottanham Hotspurs at Old Trafford today.

ENGLISH CHAMPIONS 2013 

2013 was the year when Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign as Manchester United manager came to an end in May, with the club’s 20th league title secured, his retirement was announced. And the reign was transferred to another Scottish the ever dependable Mr. David Moyes. Reflecting back on the momentous year let us go through the Best five matches for Manchester United in 2013.

• United 3 Aston Villa 0 - 22nd March 2013

Match Highlights

With the title up for grabs, the Reds seal the crown in convincing style as Robin van Persie’s stunning first-half hat-trick sinks the Aston Villa in front of 75,000-plus jubilant fans. Manchester United are crowned the champions of England for a record-extending 20th time.

• United 2 Swansea 1 - 12th May 2013

Match Highlights

At the end of an era, the newly-crowned champions leave it late to secure a hard-fought victory to cap Sir Alex's final match as manager at the Theatre of Dreams. On an unforgettable afternoon at Old Trafford, Manchester United supporters heralded their champions and bade emotional farewells to Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Scholes before.

• Swansea City 1 United 4 - 17th Aug 2013

Match Highlights

Moyes makes a winning start in the Barclays Premier League as the Reds cruise to a comfortable opening-day victory thanks to braces from van Persie and Danny Welbeck. T two quick-fire first-half goals and another two in the second half set David Moyes on his way to a first league win as Reds boss, simultaneously starting the champions’ title defence with a victory and putting United top of the league.

• United 1 Arsenal 0 - 10th Nov 2013

Match Highlights

Playing against his former club, Van Persie’s scores the only goal as the Reds inflict an influential defeat on the league leaders. Robin van Persie's superb header accounted for Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal and catapulted Manchester United firmly into the title race on a tense afternoon at Old Trafford.

• Bayer Leverkusen 0 United 5 - 27th Nov 2013

Match Highlights

United reach the Champions League's last 16 with a game to spare by thrashing the German side and recording the club’s biggest away win in Europe. Manchester United cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League with a remarkable 5-0 triumph at Bay Arena fortress with goals from Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans, Smalling, Nani and one own-goal from Spahic.

With first United games is hours from Kick-off, Happy New Year to Manchester United family and hoping 2014 will be a prosperous year with United adding more trophies to their kitty.