Manchester United manager David Moyes has praised the club's fans for their continued support as his side struggle to achieve a top-six position in the Premier League table.

United's 3-0 home defeat to local rivals Manchester City on Tuesday evening left the Old Trafford outfit five points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, but despite the threat of protests on Saturday, Moyes has insisted that he has been impressed with the support that he has received.

The 50-year-old reporters: "Everywhere I go, I always get great support from Manchester United supporters.

"I was at a dinner last night for Darren Fletcher and there were Manchester United supporters who came up to me and said 'come on, keep going, we understand exactly the situation that the club is in and team is in'.

"They were really supportive and every time I have been to Old Trafford, they have been great."

United host Aston Villa this weekend as they look to record just their seventh home win in the Premier League this season.