One suspects these examples serve only to inform Moyes he can only touch the hem of greatness during his acclimatisation period. He is in an unenviable position where he must win a league title or Champions League before he can even be perceived as a peer of some of those who are now part of his coaching staff. Goodwill quickly turns to suspicion for any recent appointment, so winning a trophy, albeit one no more than a trinket, would be a safe, reassuring introduction.
Indeed, it is the kind of classic no-win encounter Moyes needs to adjust to. United will have over 40,000 more spectators than Wigan at Wembley, a record number for a single club since the stadium was rebuilt.
United fans do not travel to such arenas for a good day out or to earn pats on the back for getting there, only to win. Victory over Wigan is not just compulsory, should it happen as expected, it will be swiftly brushed aside as of little consequence. A defeat and poor performance, however, will ensure an altogether different tone in the build up to the title defence.
Moyes is hoping to tread the path between maintaining continuity and imposing his own personality on the side. Blend the comfort of familiarity with a new style of leadership. That is not easy when nobody was in the market for any change prior to Ferguson's retirement.
Naturally, he must lean on the lieutenants, with Phil Neville still by his side and player-coach Ryan Giggs offering a reassuring voice to quell any fears the Scot will struggle to deal with weighty expectations.
"I'm excited to be learning and working with a new manager after working with the old one for so long, and so far things have worked really well," said Giggs. "David is really hands on. He's a manager that coaches and likes to be involved. He's a real details man. He likes to know everything about a player and I think that's what you need to be a Manchester United manager. It's all in the details. He has joined the champions and his aim is to make us a little bit better.
"There is an extra determination to do well under the new boss. When a new manager comes I think everyone wants to impress, but the challenge is always there at United – whether you're attempting to defend the league or win it back."
Moyes will lead out the champions at Wembley knowing United are not yet seen as his team. The quest to become David Moyes, the highly successful Manchester United manager, rather than simply the man who had the unenviable task of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson starts on Sunday.
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