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LONDON -- In this bleakest of introductions to Manchester United, David Moyes is struggling with the hand dealt to him by the club. A squad that was in need of more than just tinkering when Alex Ferguson retired, has faded as a force and seems incapable of competing with the elite. The giants of English football lurch to a new low each month as the transition following Fergusons 26-year reign proves more difficult than the fans or owners could have envisaged. Under Ferguson, seasons were about chasing trophies. Now its about avoiding further embarrassment, with United out of the domestic cups and sixth in the Premier League, 11 points from the Champions League places. Needing to lift the trophy in May to return to the Champions League, Uniteds matchup with Olympiakos in the round of 16 seemed like a gift to Moyes from UEFA. But United was insipid in Greece on Tuesday, and bereft of any attacking threat or defensive cohesion in a 2-0 loss. Thirty years ago pre-Ferguson, United overturned such a deficit against Barcelona to advance in the European Cup Winners Cup at Old Trafford, but such a feat would seem beyond this group of players, for whom the Theatre of Dreams has become the scene of too many nightmares this season. "I take responsibility, its my team," Moyes said at Olympiakos. The message from within Old Trafford remains that Moyes will be entrusted with leading the clubs revival. How much is Moyes to blame for Uniteds misfortunes? The Scot was chosen to replace his compatriot partly because he was low-maintenance and would not storm in wanting to rip up the squad. It was in an unusual moment of candour from within the United hierarchy, the day after the title was clinched with four games to spare last April, when this became apparent -- just before Moyes was approached to replace Ferguson. At that point, then-chief executive David Gill knew Ferguson would be retiring within weeks, despite the managers public denial days earlier. And, although Gill did not let slip Fergusons secret, what he said in an Associated Press interview indicated that a change might not be too far away, and that the Glazer family didnt want any drastic changes to the team. Although United would go on to win a 13th Premier League title under Ferguson by 11 points, such rampant success masked the necessity to strengthen an aging squad. "The quality of the squad, the composition of that squad, means that any new manager coming in will inherit a great squad of players," Gill told the AP on April 23, 2013. "And yes he may, whenever that is ... clearly want to bring in one or two of his own people, new players. But he wont want to change the squad wholesale because (then) he wont be our manager. Weve got to be consistent with that and thats what we are planning on." The comments were eye-catching but set against Fergusons retirement denial. The succession plan, however, would be implemented rapidly, as Moyes was handed the job -- initially secretly -- to leave Everton and fill one of the toughest vacancies in football. Perhaps United did not fully recognize the Ferguson factor in pushing the team beyond its limits, although the clubs shareholders had been warned about the dangers of British footballs most successful and feared manager hanging up his hairdryer one day. "Any successor to our current manager may not be as successful as our current manager," United said as it prepared to float on the New York Stock Exchange in 2012. "A downturn in the performance of our first team could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain coaches and players." As it proved in Moyes first transfer window. After the audacious pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas failed, Marouane Fellaini was the only major summer signing and the recruit from Everton has made little impact during an injury-hit season. The flaws in planning for the post-Ferguson era have become apparent in recent months. And from within the United boardroom a different message has emerged about this summers strategy, with vice chairman Ed Woodward, who assumed Gills responsibilities, conceding the squad does in fact requirement a significant overhaul. Rather than building from a position of strength, as was possible last summer, the empire must fight back from one of weakness. "We are not afraid of moving in the market in a way we havent seen in recent years," Woodward said on a conference call with Wall Street insiders two weeks ago. Juan Mata was persuaded to join from Chelsea last month in a club-record 31.7 million-pound ($62-million) move. And Wayne Rooney was convinced to sign a new contract in the last week through 2019, a powerful if expensive message to the world that the club can retain talent. While not challenging for titles, United remains the indisputable commercial champion of English football, with the Glazer family building up a formidable marketing operation. The club expects to generate around 430 million pounds ($718 million) in revenue this season, although such prosperity diminishes with an enduring downturn on the pitch. The great fear is that the 20-time English champions morph into the next Liverpool, which is on the rise having won the last of its 18 topflight titles in 1990. The club, though, wont want to be living on past successes for too long, but its hard to see where the next trophy is coming from. "United need six top quality players," said outspoken former captain Roy Keane, a TV pundit. "I would think David Moyes has been shocked. When he went into United in the summer he probably looked at the players and was expecting great things. "Privately hes probably been shocked at the lack of quality that hes working with." Stitched Diamondbacks Jerseys . Sections of the British media reported Friday that Brooklyn Beckham, the son of United great David, was invited to a training session at the club on Thursday. Diamondbacks Jerseys China . 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Custom Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys . - PGA Tour rookie Tony Finau shot a 9-under 63 at Del Monte and had a two-stroke lead over Billy Andrade and Lee Janzen of the Champions Tour after Thursdays opening round of the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational.CLEVELAND - The Browns coaching search — or is it a scramble? — could be nearing a conclusion. Buffalo defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine is the front-runner to become the teams seventh full-time coach and will reportedly have a third interview with the team on Thursday. Team officials interviewed Pettine on Tuesday night in Mobile, Ala., site of the Senior Bowl, and although the sides did not reach a deal during their four-hour meeting, enough progress was made to move forward. And as the focus narrowed on the 47-year-old Pettine, a "mystery" candidate emerged. The team reportedly interviewed former Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano on Wednesday in Florida, but a person familiar with Clevelands coaching search told the Associated Press that Schiano will not be hired by the Browns. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team is not commenting on the search, said there is "zero chance" of Schiano taking over in Cleveland. Earlier, Pettine, who spent one season with the Bills after four on Rex Ryans staff with the New York Jets, told Cleveland.com that he "should have some feedback on my interview by the end of the day." A person familiar with the Browns plans told the AP on Tuesday night that the team intended to interview an unknown candidate on Wednesday. The club, too, was expected to meet with Atlanta offensive co-ordinator Dirk Koetter at some point. Pettine is the first candidate known to have a follow-up interview with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, CEO Joe Banner, general manager Michael Lombardi and team president Alec Scheiner. Cleveland has met with at least nine known candidates. The team initially interviewed Pettine on Jan. 16, and following the interview, Pettines teenage daughter, Megan, tweeted that her dad was going to meet again with the team while taking a not-so-subtle shot at the Browns. "Its the browns," she posted on a Twitter account since deleted. "But hey, still pretty cool!" The Browns, who fired Rob Chudzinski on Dec. 29 following one season, are also expected to conduct a second intterview with Seattle defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn.dddddddddddd He was the first candidate to meet with the team and the director of the NFLs top-rated defence could sit down with Clevelands front office before Sunday. Because the Seahawks are in the Super Bowl, league rules require the Browns to speak with any assistants in that game by Jan. 26. However, the Browns are not permitted to finalize a deal with any assistant coach participating in the Super Bowl until after the game, so Cleveland may have to wait until Feb. 3 if they want to hire Quinn. Its possible, though, the team could decide Pettine is their choice and can name him their coach at any time. Last week, Haslam, aware of the public appearance the Browns had no clear plan to find Chudzinskis replacement, sent a letter to fans last week explaining the teams "methodical" approach to finding its next coach. Despite Haslams reasoning, it appears the Browns have had to adjust on the fly. The search is in its fourth week. Six other teams entered the off-season with coaching vacancies and all have been filled. Early favourites in Clevelands quest to replace Chudzinski dropped quickly. New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Ohio born with a connection to Lombardi, removed himself from consideration. Denver offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase — another perceived favourite — did the same, calling Haslam on Tuesday to say he was happy with the Broncos. Top college coaches such as Oklahomas Bob Stoops, Gus Malzahn and James Franklin emerged as possibilities and disappeared as rapidly as they arrived. Stoops is still with the Sooners, Malzahn stayed at Auburn and Franklin took the Penn State job. Bill OBrien, who was on Clevelands wish list last year, signed with Houston. There have even been rumours that former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was on Clevelands radar. Since the start, Haslam has promised to "take as long as necessary" to find the right coach — his second in less than two years as owner — to lead the Browns. It appears hes finally closing in on one. ' ' '