David Moyes insists he was 'unfairly treated' by Manchester United after sacking

Moyes lasted just 10 months as United manager but returns to the Premier League with Sunderland

David Moyes is unveiled as Sunderland manager (Getty)

David Moyes insists he was unfairly treated at Manchester United as he begins his new role at Sunderland.

The Scot was sacked less than a season into a six-year contract after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with United finishing that 2013-14 campaign seventh in the Premier League.

He also struggled at Spanish side Real Sociedad - but saw United make only limited improvements under his successor Louis van Gaal, finishing fourth and then fifth before the Dutchman gave way to Jose Mourinho this summer.

Moyes maintains he was the right man for the job, having led Everton from the lower reaches of the Premier League into European contention.

"You don't get offered those big jobs - Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United - for no reason," he told several national newspapers.

"I've said all along I was unfairly treated there. When you sign a six-year contract and you end up with 10 months ... yeah, I believe I was.

"I didn't win enough football matches but you must say there were mitigating circumstances. And I think you could say there are maybe things which have gone on since then that would actually justify that even more.

"What my time at Manchester United gave me is an unbelievable idea of what it is at the top. I believe that's where I can work and that's where I should be working."

Moyes has not managed in the Premier League since his dismissal from United (Sunderland AFC)

The experience has not stopped him considering transfer moves for his former United players Marouane Fellaini - who also played under him at Everton - and Adnan Januzaj.

Moyes said he was moving quickly to bring in reinforcements having replaced England boss Sam Allardyce at the Stadium of Light.

"If any of those good players want to join me I'd be happy to have them," said Moyes.

"They're excellent players. We're interested but I'm sure there's a load of other clubs that are as well.

"We've got offers in for people already but you have to have a realistic view. There'll be some players we can attract just now and some players we can't."


 Moyes was sacked as United finished seventh in the Premier League (Getty)
 (Getty Images)

Sunderland have yet to make a single addition to their first-team squad since narrowly avoiding relegation, with departures and injuries leaving them worryingly light on numbers less than a fortnight before the new season.

And while Moyes accepts an early battle is in prospect, he is confident he can mirror the progress he made in his long spell on Merseyside.

"At the start we may have to win a few ugly but as we go along I hope it will become more exciting," he said. "This has got to be a building job.

"Hopefully I'm here for four years and I'll try and bring a level of stability to the club. Hopefully we can do a bit of an Everton."

PA