David Moyes has warned that none of his Manchester United squad can be certain of starting games, with the manager wanting to "use players at the right time". Moyes is also keen that Nemanja Vidic, who is the "best defender" he has worked with, signs a new contract.
The Scot was speaking after United bounced back from the humiliating 4-1 loss to Manchester City in the derby to beat Liverpool 1-0 in Wednesday’s League One Cup tie.
The win over Liverpool came without some of Moyes’s senior players and he is clear that no one is sure of their place. “There is a squad. You use the word rotation but I want to see good form,” he said.
“If you play it makes the job much easier. You’ve got to play and you’ve got to play well. Whatever Sir Alex had done before, you had to perform.
“He used players at the right time and I will try and do the same. But obviously our performance against City didn’t merit people necessarily thinking they would play in the next game.”
Van Persie available
United entertain West Bromwich Albion today with Robin van Persie available following a groin problem.
When Moyes was asked if he is still at the stage of identifying his strongest side, the manager sidestepped the question, saying: “I have a lot of good players. At Manchester United I don’t think you ever want to get to that. You are happy to have a group of players you can select from.”
Regarding Vidic, who is 31 and in the final year of his deal, Moyes said: “I didn’t know about his contract. I have not looked into it yet. I am sure the chief executive and the club will be doing that. He is a really top centre-half. The best I have worked with.”
Moyes admitted that Marouane Fellaini, the £27.5 million summer signing, was off the pace against City but added it was unfair to single any individual out.
Two games
"The game passed several of our players by and not just Marouane," he said. "It would be wrong to pick just one. When you have only played two games for the club it is difficult to make a judgment on anybody."
Discussions with Adnan Januzaj, the 18-year-old Belgian, are yet to end in him signing a new deal, but Moyes is hopeful he will stay.
“We really think an awful lot of Adnan. We think this is the best place for producing and giving young players an opportunity. It is part of my remit to promote young players and Adnan has been promoted already and the next part is to become a regular first-team player. He is keen to stay.”
Defended Young
Moyes also defended the form of Ashley Young. "Ashley played against Crystal Palace [two weeks ago]and probably won us the game. He got us a penalty. He didn't play particularly well against City but as I said you could probably have picked another half-a-dozen who didn't. Ash is fine. We will give him every chance to prove what he can do."
Moyes should also have Tom Cleverley available for West Brom's visit. "Tom has done a bit of training," he said. "He rocked his knee in training but he has had no reaction from it."
Guardian Service
