All
eyes will be on Old Trafford and Goodison Park on Sunday as Sir Alex
Ferguson and David Moyes say their emotional farewells at the end of one
of the most dramatic weeks in the history of the Premier League.
At
the start of this week it was hard to imagine that Manchester United's
apparently meaningless final home game of the season against Swansea,
and Everton's relatively mundane Goodison Park fixture against West Ham,
would captivate millions across the globe rather than just the
supporters of the respective clubs.
Now
the world will be watching as Ferguson takes charge of United at Old
Trafford for the last time, while Moyes will also be under the
microscope ahead of his official move to Manchester on 1 July.
There
will be more than a few tears as the 71-year-old Ferguson bids
farewell, but the overriding emotion should be joyous celebration of his
incredible achievements at United.
It is
fitting that the Scot will depart with one last piece of silverware
officially installed in the Old Trafford trophy cabinet on Sunday when
United will be presented with the Premier League trophy.
This season's title triumph was the 13th of Ferguson's reign and the 38th trophy won by United during his reign.
And
United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that remarkable haul should
offer reassurance to Moyes that the foundations are in place to extend
the club's remarkable run of success.
"It's
great to see the new manager coming in, we've never had a problem with
him here at United, he's a very honest man from the players you speak to
and he's done a fantastic job at his previous club Everton," Ferdinand
said.
"I'm sure he'll be very, very open
and sympathetic to the traditions of the club and try and continue that
and not come in and try and make crazy changes in terms of the whole
characteristics of the club."
Moyes prepares for Goodison farewell
While Moyes has effectively been hand-picked by Ferguson, who recommended the Scot to United owners, the Glazer family, the 50-year-old has never had to face the scrutiny he will be under at Old Trafford.
While Moyes has effectively been hand-picked by Ferguson, who recommended the Scot to United owners, the Glazer family, the 50-year-old has never had to face the scrutiny he will be under at Old Trafford.
His 11-year reign at Everton has
rightly earned him plenty of respect for his ability to construct a
highly competitive team on a relatively limited budget.
But
the lack of a single piece of major silverware and absence of UEFA
Champions League experience are significant blots on his CV.
Even so, his last home match as Everton manager gives fans a chance to thank Moyes for his lengthy service and defender Phil Jagielka made it clear he will be sorely missed.
"Like the rest of the squad I have nothing but the highest regard for David Moyes," Jagielka said.
"He
is a first-class operator on and off the training ground and on behalf
of the players I would like to place on record my thanks for the work he
has done improving the team."
Focus at both ends of table
While the football world keeps tabs on Ferguson and Moyes, there are other important issues in the Premier League this weekend.
While the football world keeps tabs on Ferguson and Moyes, there are other important issues in the Premier League this weekend.
Chelsea's visit to Aston Villa on Saturday has significance at both ends
of the table, with the third place Blues looking for the win that would
effectively seal their place in next season's Champions League, while
Villa can guarantee their survival with a victory.
Tottenham
can't afford to drop points at Stoke as Andre Villas-Boas's fifth
placed side try to keep the pressure on Chelsea and fourth placed
Arsenal, who don't play this weekend due to Wigan's involvement in the
FA Cup final.
Newcastle, three points above the bottom three, travel to already-relegated QPR in dire need of a win.
Norwich,
at home to West Bromwich Albion, and Sunderland, who host Southampton,
are level on points with Newcastle and equally desperate for three
points.
English Premier League fixtures
Saturday
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Sunday
Everton v West Ham
Fulham v Liverpool
Manchester United v Swansea
Norwich v West Brom
QPR v Newcastle
Stoke v Tottenham
Sunderland v Southampton
Saturday
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Sunday
Everton v West Ham
Fulham v Liverpool
Manchester United v Swansea
Norwich v West Brom
QPR v Newcastle
Stoke v Tottenham
Sunderland v Southampton
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