Gary Neville: David Moyes deserves time at Manchester United

Gary Neville

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has insisted that embattled boss David Moyes deserves to be given the time to stamp his own authority on the Old Trafford outfit, reports Sky Sports.

Criticism has started to be aimed at Moyes, who was given a six year contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer, with the Red Devils title challenge all but over as they remain in seventh place and 15 points behind leaders Chelsea.

The reigning champions visit the Emirates to face Arsenal tonight, with anything but a victory set to derail their hopes of earning a Champions League place next season even further and increase the pressure on Moyes.

However, Neville believes that the former Everton man will remain at the club even if he does not manager to secure a top four finish as the club’s hierarchy can resist from making knee jerk decisions, unlike their rivals.

“I prefer to talk about a club that is not like the others, with a different philosophy and that gives time to its managers. At Manchester United, hard work always pays off and David Moyes is working a lot. Before Alex Ferguson, Tommy Docherty, Dave Sexton and Ron Atkinson also had time. They always got full support.

“David Moyes deserves as much time as his predecessors. Manchester United is not Real Madrid or Chelsea, clubs that sack a manager who has won trophies. Manchester United is different and has to remain different and I will repeat that even if they don’t qualify for the Champions League,” declared Neville.

With the Red Devils only remaining hope for silverware this season pinned to the Champions League itself, Moyes’ side look increasingly likely to finish the campaign empty handed. While Neville has insisted his former club does not sack managers that have won trophies, if Moyes fails to do so it is unclear whether his position will remain tenable.

“David Moyes also has to understand the full extent of the media coverage of Manchester United, which is completely different than Everton. The Manchester United manger is like a head of state – when he speaks, his words are broadcast all over the world in a few seconds. Manchester United is a monster that you need to tame. I have always believed the club would change David Moyes and not the other way round,” he claimed.

If the club was expected to change Moyes he has shown little sign of being able to adapt his tactics and mentality onto the big stage thus far and could end a disastrous debut campaign at the helm with nothing but negativity surrounding United and their supporters.