David Moyes has had to deal with his first sign of internal unrest after Rio Ferdinand questioned his policy of keeping team selection under wraps until the last minute.
The vastly experienced former England defender claimed Manchester United players were wasting nervous energy wondering whether they were going to be picked, and that intensity levels were suffering as a consequence.
To make matters worse for United manager Moyes, out-of-favour winger Wilfried Zaha yesterday took to Twitter to deny rumours he had been dating the former Everton boss’s daughter and that it was the reason for his lack of action.
As he waited for word on his prospects of facing Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday, Ferdinand explained why he preferred Sir Alex Ferguson’s way of at least dropping hints about his starting line-up.
‘This manager’s a bit different in that he doesn’t name the team beforehand,’ said the United centre back in a BT Sport interview.
‘You don’t really get to know the team. The old manager used to give you a little bit of an idea if you’d be playing and stuff.
‘When you know you’re playing, the intensity goes up a little bit more on matchday. Even if you’re not sure you are playing, you still need to try and get to that level of intensity you’d be at if you knew you were in the team, but it’s hard.
'You spend a lot of nervous energy thinking, “Am I playing?” or “Am I not playing?” and you’re just going round in circles in your head and turning into a madman.’
Ferdinand’s outburst cut no ice with Moyes, who could have done without an added distraction in the wake of Wednesday’s defeat by Everton.
‘We do it in different ways,’ Moyes said. ‘Sometimes we name it (early), sometimes we name it late on.
'Quite often, a lot of managers leave it so the Press don’t get the teams too early.
‘I would think that a lot of the teams do it like us. The same happened to me, in my playing days, but I never felt that way.’
Zaha has not been sweating on his place after failing to make a Premier League appearance for United since moving from Crystal Palace.
But, addressing speculation about a rumoured relationship with Moyes’ daughter, Lauren, Zaha posted on Twitter: ‘I’ve never dated or even met David Moyes’ daughter, so that isn’t the reason for my absence in games.’
Shinji Kagawa was treated by paramedics for breathing difficulties hours after he returned home on Wednesday night.
‘He was suffering from sickness and feeling unwell after the game, so we will have to see how he is in the morning,’ said Moyes.
After being given a rough ride by Everton fans, Moyes does at least retain the respect and admiration of his former players.
Despite the flying start Everton have made under his replacement Roberto Martinez, defender Sylvain Distin said: ‘Yes, Roberto’s philosophy has had an effect, but it would be a big mistake to forget what David Moyes has done for this club.
‘He brought 90 per cent of the players to the club and put this winning mentality in our heads.’
Monaco are interested in taking United defender Patrice Evra back to the club next summer.
By JOHN EDWARDS
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