Scholes: United must stand by Moyes

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes manager David Moyes deserves the club’s backing - despite the Reds’ 3-0 thrashing by rivals City last night.

The result brings further scrutiny on Moyes’ position, with the Scot enduring a chastening first campaign in charge of seveneth-placed United, 12 points behind fourth–placed Arsenal.

Yet the ex-Everton boss should not be held entirely responsible for United’s failings this season, according to Scholes, who thinks Moyes needs to strengthen his squad this summer.

“You have to stand by him, he’s made a couple of signings that haven’t quite worked out yet as he would have liked and in the summer he’s going to need backing, there’s no doubt about that,” the former England international said.

“Was he backed as well as he could have been last summer? I’m not too sure, but this summer he has to be backed and I think he knows he needs players.”

With Nemanja Vidic set to leave for Inter Milan this summer, and Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra’s futures also under scrutiny, Scholes hopes Moyes can significantly strengthen United’s defence, while he is also concerned by the midfield.

“It looks to me that there’s a few areas that need addressing,” Grasscroft-based Scholes, who ended his professional career at the end of last season, added.