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Football

21st Mar 2017

David Moyes had a utterly bizarre reason to omit a player at the weekend

This man was once Manchester United manager...

Robert Redmond

This man was once Manchester United manager.

But, with logic like this, it’s clear to see why David Moyes is no longer Manchester United manager, and why he is on his way to the Championship.

That might be a bit unfair on Moyes, who did a very good job with Everton for over a decade, but try not be bewildered by his comments following Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Burnley.

The result left the Black Cat’s stuck to the bottom of the Premier League, and seven points from safety with 10 games to play. It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Sunderland will pull off another great escape.

Burnley have the worst away record in the division this season. Victory over them would have been imperative for Moyes’ team if they are to have a chance of staying up.

The Sunderland manager was asked about his selection choices following the game, and gave a utterly bizarre reason for omitting Didier N’Dong in favour of Jack Rodwell and Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson.

“I decided I wanted Jack and Gibbo together. I thought the game might suit more Britishness in the middle of the pitch.

“I just felt I would go with that in the middle and the two boys up front.”

In fairness, choosing either Rodwell or Gibson ahead of N’Dong isn’t going to make or break Sunderland’s season.

The trio haven’t exactly impressed this season, and Sunderland would probably still get relegated if they were allowed to start with 12 players until the end of the season.

However, it is absolutely bizarre to select a player for a game because they are more “British” than a teammate. Gibson is a Derry native but he opted to play for the Republic of Ireland quite a while back, so we’re not sure what he’d make of Moyes’ comments either.

And to think, some people still reckon Moyes wasn’t granted enough time at United.

 

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