David Moyes persuades Juan Mata to join Manchester United against the advice of Sir Alex: A one act playBy Jonathan Liew1:27PM GMT 24 Jan 2014
Manchester United manager David Moyes convinces Juan Mata that Old Trafford is the right move - but the ghost of Sir Alex Ferguson still haunts his every step
(The manager's office at the Manchester United training ground, Carrington. Plaques, photographs and framed memorabilia adorn the walls. On one side of the room sits a cabinet that once held silverware, but is now completely empty apart from an LMA Manager of the Year trophy and a black Marouane Fellaini wig. David Moyes is sitting at his desk, reading the morning papers with a tired, glazed expression. Suddenly he becomes aware of a shadow being cast over him. He looks up.)
MOYES
Sir Alex! You scared the life out of me.
FERGUSON
Ghosts of the past, Davie. They'll always haunt you, as long as you let them.
MOYES (rising to shake his hand)
I didn't know you were coming. Are you here on club business?
FERGUSON
Suppose you could say that. I hear the boy Mata's on the premises.
MOYES
He's having his medical. He'll be here any moment. What were you after?
FERGUSON
Just a chat, Davie. (Pulls up a chair) D'you mind?
(Moyes says nothing. Ferguson sits)
FERGUSON
Now listen to me, Davie. I'm not totally convinced about the boy. It's a lot of money for a player who hasn't played a lot of football. I never liked doing business in January for this very reason.
MOYES
Well, I can understand your feelings. But...
FERGUSON
It's an area of the pitch where we're already strong. Rooney, Kagawa, Januzaj. Even Fellaini can play there.
MOYES
But a player of his class doesn't come on the market often, Sir Alex. And with the squad that we had at the start of this season...
FERGUSON (cutting him off)
The squad you had at the start of this season won the Premier League by 11 points. Now you're seventh, you're out of both cups, the fans are fed up, the players are disillusioned, the press are ripping you to shreds, and you're panicking.
MOYES
I'm not panicking. OK, we're not where we wanted to be. But it's not the crisis that everyone's making out.
FERGUSON (leaning towards him)
Your eyes are bloodshot, Davie. Did you sleep last night?
(Moyes does not answer. There is a knock at the door. Before Moyes can answer, the door opens. Juan Mata is standing in the doorway)
MATA
This is the manager's office?
MOYES
It is.
(Mata walks in. Ferguson leaves without acknowledging him. Mata sits down)
MATA
You must forgive me. You are older than I thought you would be.
MOYES
I get that a lot.
MATA
Last night I was so tired I got to the hotel and went to sleep straight away. I don't even know what happened last night. Against Sunderland. You have the newspaper there?
MOYES (sweeping the newspapers off the desk with his arm)
No! I mean, those are old newspapers. We... we won. Two-one.
MATA
So it went to penalties? What happened?
MOYES
I can't remember, to be honest. Anyway, it's terrific to have you here. There were rumours last night that you'd turned round on the M6 and gone home.
MATA
That was just a joke on the Twitter. You must not believe everything you read on Twitter.
MOYES
So the story about Phil Jones's penalty landing...?
MATA
Also a joke on Twitter, yes.
MOYES
You've met the boys?
MATA
Yes, but David De Gea was not there. If I leave my number, will he be able to get hold of me?
MOYES
I doubt it. He doesn't get hold of much.
(Loud groans)
MOYES
Where did that come from?
MATA
So, gaffer. I just wanted to say what an honour it is. People say the manager is not so important as the players, as the owner, as the sporting director. But the beautiful thing about English football? The manager is the father of the club. The number one guy. Everybody respects him. What he says, it's the law. I can't wait to start. When do you want me to begin training?
MOYES
Well, it's up to you, really.
MATA
Fine. You know, a footballer just wants to be loved. To feel needed. I didn't feel loved or needed at Chelsea. I'm not a winger. I don't have chalk on my shoes, like you say. My position is behind the striker. That is where I must play.
MOYES
Yes. Well, we have a lot of players in that general sort of area.
MATA
That is no good. I must play where I feel strongest.
MOYES
You know, the pitch at Old Trafford is so much bigger than other pitches. I'm sure we can find room for you somewhere.
MATA
I must say that I am very much looking forward to playing with Rooney. Rooney wants to stay?
MOYES
I'm sorry, who?
MATA
Wayne Rooney. He wants to stay here?
MOYES
One hundred per cent. Have we had problems in the past? Yes. Has he handed in a transfer request before? Yes. Has he turned up for training in a Chelsea shirt? Well, yes. But that's all in the past now. I don't think he's worn the Chelsea shirt in... well, definitely not since Christmas. So, you know.
MATA
All I need is for United to share my ambition. I won a Champions League, I won a World Cup. But I always want more. I don't believe in God, but when you're standing up there, holding the Champions League trophy in your hands, then it's a kind of divinity? You know what I mean?
MOYES
I do. Actually, I remember winning the Division Two title with Preston in 2000, and that was quite... religious.
MATA
I want to challenge for the Premier League, every season. I want to play in the Champions League, every season. I want to win every trophy. I want the best players in the world to come to Manchester United. And I want to play for a manager who believes he is the best manager in the world. Do you believe that?
(The door opens suddenly. Ferguson is standing in the doorway. Moyes leaps out of his chair)
MOYES
Sir Alex?
FERGUSON
Well, answer him, Davie. Do you?
(Moyes stares at Ferguson, and then back at Mata, who now looks puzzled)
FERGUSON
It's no use, Davie. You're the only one who can see me.
MATA
Mr Moyes? Are you OK?
(Moyes is still unable to speak. He looks at Ferguson, then to the empty trophy cabinet on his right, and then back at Ferguson)
FERGUSON
Ghosts of the past, Davie. They'll always haunt you, as long as you let them.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10594928/David-Moyes-persuades-Juan-Mata-to-join-Manchester-United-against-the-advice-of-Sir-Alex-A-one-act-play.html