Humbled David Moyes takes his sacking on the chin
In a dignified response to his sacking, Scot says he relished his time at United despite reports suggesting he was angered by his dismissal
David Moyes spoke out yesterday for the first time since his sacking as Manchester United manager, saying he understood fans' frustration after his ill-fated 10-month spell in charge at Old Trafford.
"During this period of transition, performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration," the 50-year-old Scot said.
"I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League and I remain grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage Manchester United."
The scale of the manager's job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work and the same applies to my coaching staff.
He also said he would never regret the decision he made.
"Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I relished and never had a second thought about taking on," he said.
"The scale of the manager's job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work and the same applies to my coaching staff."
However, British press reports earlier said Moyes was "angry and devastated" at his dismissal and the way it had been leaked the day before he it was officially announced.
A report said the Scot was angry with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and other club officials, who did not keep him informed of his fate. It said Moyes was so unaware \he was about to be fired that he was working on four deals for new players on Monday, the day it was made known he was departing.
reported that former manager Alex Ferguson played a role in Moyes' sacking after realising he had made a big mistake in choosing the Scot as his successor. Ferguson also reportedly will be consulted in the appointment of a new manager.
Fans will now watch to see what interim manager Ryan Giggs, who was appointed after Moyes' departure, can do with just four Premier league games remaining. The Welshman at 40 is into the 23rd season of a remarkable club career.
But he will not be alone, as former teammates Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville will assist. Neville was the first-team coach under Moyes, while Butt had been working with the Under-19s and Under-21s as a technical coach.
The task? To lift some of the gloom surrounding the club and aim for 12 points that could earn United a place in next season's Europa League.
"For me, I think in the last four games, there will be more togetherness and playing a brand of football that is more eye-catching," said Dwight Yorke, who played alongside Giggs in United's famous treble-winning team in the 1998-99 season. "Four games is not a lot, but Giggs is the right man."
