Nicky Butt makes shocking claim about David Moyes’ Man United stint

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has delivered a stunning verdict on David Moyes’ ill-fated spell at the club.

Failed tenure

Following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Moyes was handed the unenviable task of replacing the legendary Scot in the Old Trafford dugout.

Then 50 years old, Moyes is believed to have been handpicked by Ferguson himself due to his impressive work at Everton. Moyes put pen to paper on a six-year deal, officially taking over at the start of July 2013.

His reign started positively as United beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 to claim the FA Community Shield. However, United were unable to build on this, as their fortunes quickly unravelled.

Moyes struggled to replicate the kind of success fans had become accustomed to under Sir Alex. Embarrassing losses to the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion were especially damaging and left him in a very precarious position.

Discontent over the team’s performances reached its height when a banner reading ‘Wrong One – Moyes Out’ was flown over the stadium during a 4-1 victory against Aston Villa.

He was sacked in April 2014, the final nail in the coffin being a 2-0 loss to Everton. Moyes lasted just 10 months in the job. At the time, the Red Devils sat a lowly seventh place in the Premier League table, 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal with four games left, guaranteeing no Champions League football for the first time since 1995 and the side’s lowest league finish since 1991.

Ryan Giggs initially took over as caretaker boss before United appointed Louis van Gaal. A spate of managers have since taken the hot seat, but none have been able to fill Sir Alex’s boots, with Ruben Amorim the most recent coach to be relieved of his duties.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, Butt insisted that it was a mistake not to give Moyes more time.

Butt makes bold Moyes claim

Butt said, “I don’t think he (Moyes) should have got sacked at United. No. He didn’t get enough time. He didn’t get enough time.”

“He should have got more time.”

Butt added, “And also the only mistake I think he made was he didn’t have anyone. Someone should have been there for him, someone like Mike Phelan or someone.”

Butt won six Premier League titles with United, the Champions League and three FA Cups before departing for Newcastle.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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