Moyes in it for the long haul

DAVID Moyes believes he was awarded a six–year contract to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United because the club’s hierarchy realised what a big job it was.

After a shaky start, United have staggered through the early weeks of 2014 suffering five defeats before failing to beat bottom club Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It represents as poor a campaign as United have endured since the early years of Ferguson’s reign, and they face another stiff test at Arsenal tonight.

There has been general approval of former captain Roy Keane’s assessment that up to half a dozen experienced players are required to rebuild United to their former strength, and it appears getting the club back on track will take time.

“I was given a six–year contract,” said Moyes. “Things were always going to take time. There has been rebuilding going on here year after year and we’ll continue to do that.”

There has been plenty of backing from the club’s hierarchy, even though vice–chairman Ed Woodward is likely to be quizzed about this season’s poor performances – and the impact failing to qualify for the Champions League would have on finances – when he speaks about United’s second–quarter results today.