'Manchester United too big for David Moyes' - Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson believes David Moyes did not realise just how big Manchester united were when he agreed to take over.

Moyes was labelled ‘The Chosen One’ when he was appointed as Ferguson’s successor in May 2013, but he failed to live up to expectations and was eventually sacked after just ten months in charge.

United struggled under Moyes and a dismal season ended with the club missing out on European football and Ferguson believes the pressure of managing the Premier League champions proved too much for his fellow Scot.

“He hadn’t realised just how big United is as a club. As the results deteriorated each defeat was a hammer blow to him. I could see that in his demeanour,” Ferguson wrote in his updated autobiography.

“In January we bought Juan Mata and that gave everyone a lift, but I could see the walls squeezing in, leaving David with less and less room to breathe.

“I know that feeling from 1989 when we went through a terrible spell. You feel you are being crushed. The results gnawed away at David.

“Nobody could dispute how disappointing the season was. And it cost a man his job.”

It has been reported that Ferguson played a huge role in Moyes’ appointment and was aware that the club were preparing to call time on his brief tenure, but the he insists that was not the case.

Indeed, Ferguson became aware of Moyes’ imminent departure when he saw a newspaper report on his way back to Manchester the day after United’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.

“At the same time, David Moyes texted me. I wasn’t sure what to say to him because I was unsure what was happening at that exact moment. I spoke to Ed (Woodward, executive vice-chairman) when I got back to Manchester and established that a final decision had been made,” he explained.

“I knew Ed wanted to tell David Moyes in person the following day and that we had come to the end of David’s time at Old Trafford.”

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