David Moyes has opened up about his challenging tenure at Manchester United, admitting he always understood the club couldn't be "fixed quickly" following the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
The Impossible Task
The Everton manager, who returns to Old Trafford with his current side on Monday, was handpicked to succeed Ferguson in 2013 but found the rebuilding job far more substantial than many anticipated. Moyes was dismissed midway through his first season with the twenty-time English champions languishing in seventh position.
"I always thought when I took the job that it wouldn't be able to be fixed quickly," Moyes confessed. "I saw that not long after I went in that it was going to take a bit of time."
Competitive Landscape Challenges
The Scottish manager emphasised that United's struggles weren't solely about internal issues but reflected the rising quality of their Premier League rivals. Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal were all undergoing significant strengthening during this period.
"I think also you have to remember that it was not just to do with the strength of United," Moyes explained. "They were all rebuilding and bringing in more all the time. So I think that those clubs played as big a part in it as anyone else."
Reflections on Time at United
Moyes revealed that many people have since told him he should have been given more time to implement his vision at Old Trafford. The manager, who spent eleven successful years at Everton before his United appointment, needed to rebuild his reputation after his damaging spell in Manchester.
"I've had plenty of people say it to me… plenty of supporters say it to me, and plenty of journalists say it to me," Moyes stated regarding calls for him to have received more time. "I wish it had worked. But it didn't work at the time and that's it."
Since his United departure in April 2014, Moyes has managed Real Sociedad, Sunderland, West Ham (twice) and now enjoys a second spell at Everton, where his team recently secured a victory ahead of their Old Trafford encounter.
Everton Contract and Injury Updates
Meanwhile, Everton are reportedly confident about triggering an extension in midfielder James Garner's contract. The 24-year-old former United player sees his current deal expire this summer, but the club holds an option to extend it by an additional year.
In less positive news for the Toffees, summer signing Merlin Rohl faces several weeks on the sidelines after undergoing hernia surgery last week. The German midfielder, recruited from Freiburg, adds to Sean Dyche's selection concerns ahead of their crucial Premier League fixture.
