David Moyes won his first trophy as head coach of Manchester United. Now he needs 37 more to equal Sir Alex Ferguson’s 38.
That was the impression fans took away from the new Wembley Stadium, Sunday after Robin van Persie struck twice to earn Manchester United a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the English season’s curtain-raising Community Shield.
Such is the length of time Ferguson has dominated life at Old Trafford that six of Moyes’ starting line-up were not even born the last time United played in this annual curtain-raiser without the Scot as manager, back in 1985, when Alan Brazil was among the substitutes.
Moyes will be grateful for the squad he has inherited though, particularly Van Persie, who did more than anyone to ensure Ferguson left centre stage as a championship winner.
The prolific Dutch striker scored in each half for the Premier League champions who outclassed the surprise FA Cup winners to give their new manager David Moyes an early trophy in his reign at Old Trafford.
Van Persie powered home an angled header after six minutes and fired in a deflected shot just before the hour to see off Championship side Wigan who stunned Manchester City to win the Cup before being relegated last season.
Young United winger Wilfried Zaha showed touches of quality on his debut alongside 39-year-old Ryan Giggs who made his 21st Wembley appearance for the club and the first without Alex Ferguson as his manager.
