Manchester United face missing out on Champions League, and now David Moyes accepts difficult season is 'not something I envisaged'

Moyes thanked the fans for their support in his quarterly letter to season ticket holders and admits that it has been a much more difficult start to life at Old Trafford than he had thought

David Moyes watches the defeat to Olympiakos (Getty Images)

Manchester United manager David Moyes has written a letter to fans of the club in which he accepts that this season has gone much worse than he had expected when he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson last year. Manchester United manager David Moyes has written a letter to fans of the club in which he accepts that this season has gone much worse than he had expected when he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson last year.

Moyes’ side sit in seventh in the Premier League table, 18 points off leaders Chelsea and 12 points adrift of Champions League qualification. With just 11 matches left plus United’s Champions League campaign – in which they trail Olympiakos by two goals heading into the last-16 second leg – Moyes has thanked fans for their on-going support in what has been a “difficult experience” that he had not envisaged.

Writing in his quarterly address to fans via the club’s season ticket holders magazine, Moyes accepted that performances haven’t been good enough this season, but promised they would return to winning ways soon enough.

Entitled ‘A word from the boss’, Moyes’ letter read: “While I knew that this job would be a challenge when I took it on, the difficult season we have experienced was not something that I envisaged, which I am sure is the case as well for you supporters - and my players, staff and I are desperate to compensate for that.

A word from the boss - Moyes' letter in full

“You are accustomed to seeing a successful Manchester United and the backing you have given the players and I throughout the season has been incredible...the loyalty you have shown us has been magnificent.”

Under Ferguson last season, United clinched the title – his 13th and final triumph – with four matches to spare as the Red Devils blew away the competition. But with a largely similar Scot, United have struggled time again this campaign, having already suffered eight loses this season as well as seeing a number of long-standing records fall.

Their struggles in front of the Old Trafford faithful have been well documented, but Moyes is confident that the accolades and trophies will return soon enough, should he be given the time.

“Over the years you have seen great winning sides here and, in time, I have absolutely no doubt that we will see great winning sides here again,” Moyes continued.

“We will do everything in our power to get the positive performances and results to do that, so that we can give you season ticket holders and all our supporters something to shout about.

“In the long run, we will all come out at the other end, stronger for the experiences. Everything we have been through will make us a better, stronger team and club in the future.”