Manchester United

Gary Neville: 'David Moyes going nowhere for three years'

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 30 September 2013

Manchester United legend Gary Neville insists that David Moyes will be given plenty of time to settle into his role as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor following a difficult start to his Old Trafford tenure.

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has insisted that his former club will give new manager David Moyes at least three years to build his own squad in the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

The ex-Everton boss is already under intense pressure at Old Trafford after overseeing United's worst start to a season in 24 years, but Neville is certain that no rash decisions will be made regarding Moyes's future.

In fact, the 19-year Red Devils stalwart, now a prominent television pundit, is adamant that it will be the current playing staff that will be offloaded if performances and results are not up to scratch.

He told Sky Sports News: "If you think about the early years of Sir Alex Ferguson, he was allowed to develop into a presence. In the first three or four years he was at the club he was coming under intense pressure.

"David Moyes, there's no doubt about it, is still learning to come to terms with his squad and getting to know his players and the culture of the club. But he's finding out about the club and one thing's for certain; you've got Sir Bobby Charlton in the boardroom and Sir Alex Ferguson in the boardroom and David Gill in the boardroom. That manager isn't going anywhere by the way.

"David Moyes will be given time over three or four years to build a football club and learn the ropes. It takes time and he'll be given time, just as Arsenal have done with Arsene Wenger. I put it towards the players. I know a lot of those players and they'll be hurting like mad. A lot of players will go before David Moyes goes because, believe me, they will give him time."

United are 12th in the table, having picked up just seven points from their first six Premier League games of the season, which have included defeats to their rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.