Rumour: Manchester United players knew David Moyes would be sacked before Everton clash

Manchester United players already knew of the imminent departure of David Moyes before the loss to Everton on Sunday, according to the Mirror.

Moyes was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning following continuous speculation that he would be sacked on Monday. The Scotsman has been under intense pressure following a disastrous season, which has seen the Red Devils exit the FA Cup in the 3rd round, exit the Champions League in the quarter-finals, finish outside the top four in the league and already guaranteed to finish with their lowest league points tally in the Premier League.

It is reported that United players were telling friends that they were sure that Moyes would be told to move for pastures new within days, after news filtered through the Old Trafford hierarchy throughout the week.

It is also believed Moyes knew he would be sacked before he came up against Everton, but wanted to return to Goodison and face the club he managed for over a decade.

The Glazer family relieved Moyes on Tuesday morning, despite the former Everton boss signing a six-year deal in the summer of 2013. Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, who had announced his retirement just a few weeks earlier. Ferguson spent nearly three decades at the club, but insisted that the club stood by the new manager.

Man Utd have lost more league games this season (11) than they have managed in any other Premier League campaign.