Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

David Moyes out: Manchester United fans organise Old Trafford flyover to protest in favour of sacking 'The Chosen One'

A flyover message reading 'Wrong One - Moyes out' has been organised to parade over Old Trafford during the game against Aston Villa on Saturday

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 27 March 2014 12:02 GMT

Stewards guard Moyes's banner at Old Trafford last night (AFP/ GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United fans are set to ramp up their attempts to force the club to sack manager David Moyes after reports emerged they are planning to send a flyover message above Old Trafford calling for his head.

Moyes’ brief upturn in fortunes took a devastating blow on Tuesday night as his side put in one of their worst showing of the season to succumb 3-0 to rivals Manchester City – a result that almost flattered the home side such was City’s domination.

The company that made the prominent ‘The Chosen One’ banner - Stretford End Flags (SEF) - that also features Moyes’ headshot has confirmed that they have no intention of removing it ahead of this weekend’s visit of Aston Villa. But supporters have come together to raise almost £1,000 to front the cost of the flyover via the Red Issue website, with the slogan “Wrong One – Moyes out” set to shadow the Theatre of Dreams.

The move comes after ‘#MoyesOut’ began trending on social media shortly after the Manchester derby defeat, and with the Red Devils a hefty 18 points off the top of the Premier League, they are already guaranteed to secure their worst-ever finish since the inception of the competition in 1992.

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Show all 11

1/11The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Jurgen Klopp

Currently the manager of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp coached his team to the Champions League final in 2013. He also delivered back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12, despite Dortmund being in the financial shadow of Bayern Munich. All of that was achieved while playing a distinctive attractive style of football. After six years at the club, it could be time for the 46-year-old German to move on, however he has already said he is happy to stay.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Fabio Capello

The former England manager has coached the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma. He now resides over the Russian national team who topped their group in qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to ensure they are at the biggest tournament of them all for the first time since 2002.

Getty Images

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Louis van Gaal

Dutchman Van Gaal will be leading his national side at this year's World Cup in Brazil. He has taken charge of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past and won the Champions League in 1995 with Ajax. In total, he has won over 60 per cent of his 780 games in management and he's made it very clear he covets a position in the Premier League. Heavily linked with Tottenham prior to David Moyes' sacking.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Sir Alex Ferguson

Considering he's at every game anyway, a switch from the stands back to the dug-out doesn't seem inconceivable for Sir Alex Ferguson. It'd certainly be a popular choice among fans having achieved so much success in his long time in charge. The winner of 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles, if there's anyone who can succeed Ferguson, it's Ferguson.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Jose Mourinho

Since returning for a second spell at Chelsea last summer, the Special One has been saying he wants to see out his career at Stamford Bridge. Yet prior to returning to west London, it was an open secret he coveted the Old Trafford hot seat. If United want to turn their fortunes around, no other manager can provide the kind of guarantees of success that Mourinho can.

Getty Images

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Frank De Boer

Although his managerial experience is relatively small in comparison to other potentials, he has already shown he can win domestically. Since taking over at Ajax in 2010, in his first job as manager, De Boer has won the Eredivisie in three consecutive attempts, with his team currently well clear at the top of the league this season. Has been regularly linked with the biggest vacancies in Europe.

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Antonio Conte

Winner of the Serie A manager of the year in 2011-12 and 2012-13 after leading Juventus to the title in those seasons, as well as a Champions League winners medal to his name as a player, Conte has pedigree. Since taking charge in Turin three years ago, the Italian has returned Juventus to the dominant force in Italy, with the club destined to win their third title in a row this term. That kind of dominance is exactly what United crave.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Diego Simeone

Simeone has been enjoying much success since taking over at Atletico Madrid. His excellent win rate has seen the club win the Europa League and Super Cup, and against all odds challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for La Liga title this season. He'd have to hope his history with David Beckham didn't count against him if Manchester United came calling.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Michael Laudrup

Despite a rather sudden and messy divorce from Swansea City earlier this year, Laudrup did show he was capable of managing at the highest level. He won the League Cup with the Welsh club, the first major trophy in the club's history, and he did it with a brand of football that won many plaudits. A legend as a player, the Dane has the gravitas for such a huge position as Manchester United manager.

AP

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Harry Redknapp

Currently manager of QPR, Redknapp has often been a fan favourite across English football, winning manager of the year in 2009/10 as well as the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008. At one stage he looked a certainty to be the next England manager, only to lose out to Roy Hodgson.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Ex-United players

If Manchester United were to choose from one of their own, they would have plenty of ex-players to pick from. Ryan Giggs is the most obvious choice after being installed on a temporary basis after Moyes' departure. Others in management who served as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson include Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, both Neville brothers and Steve Bruce. Mark Hughes played for United along with Gordon Strachan and Laurent Blanc. While none of them have particularly overachieved in any of their positions, a former player tends to be popular with fans, and can be rewarded with success.

AP

In another blow to his credibility, Moyes has seen the usually supportive regional newspaper the Manchester Evening News start a Moyes ‘excuses generator’ compiling his best post-defeat explanations of his nine months in charge at the club.

Supporters also turned on former manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Tuesday night for personally selecting Moyes as his immediate successor, and it appears that whatever support that was left for the 50-year-old is quickly evaporating.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies