MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United have been proven wrong by David Moyes, who deserved more time at Old Trafford, according to Phil Neville.
Neville left United as a player to join Moyes at Everton and then returned to his former club as part of the new manager’s backroom staff in 2013.
But Moyes’ United tenure did not go to plan after he was appointed with the backing of outgoing legend Alex Ferguson.
The Red Devils were reigning Premier League champions but finished seventh in a season Moyes failed to see out, sacked with four games remaining.
Since then, Moyes has endured mixed fortunes, struggling at Real Sociedad and suffering relegation with Sunderland before restoring his reputation across two stints with West Ham.
The 59-year-old will lead the Hammers out in a Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, with the club on course for a second successive season of European football having been battling relegation when the manager returned to London Stadium.
Meanwhile, United – one place above West Ham in sixth – are turning to Erik ten Hag as their sixth appointment since Ferguson’s retirement (including incumbent interim boss Ralf Rangnick).
Neville feels the club would have been better served giving time to the man named as Ferguson’s successor.
“If you look back now, it was totally wrong the lack of time that he was given,” the Inter Miami head coach told Sky Sports. “It was totally wrong the lack of backing, the lack of finance in terms of the investment that other managers have had.
“I’d say that’s the biggest thing. When we both left the club at that time, we needed another season.
“Ten months at Manchester United, in a difficult period when the greatest manager of all time had just left, wasn’t enough. He had unbelievable plans to take the club forward in that summer.
“I’d say that, looking back, it was probably one of the biggest mistakes United made since Sir Alex left, not giving David Moyes more time.
“I think he’s proven now at West Ham: with time, he can build a football club to sustain, with quality and to be successful.
“That, for me, was probably one of the biggest disappointments in football, when he was sacked by Manchester United.”
