Oscars 2014: Sir Alex Ferguson backs David Moyes to turn things around at Manchester United while speaking at British Oscars party

Ferguson says his beleaguered successor will be OK if he is given time

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes (Getty Images)

Sir Alex Ferguson has given his public backing to David Moyes, his struggling successor at Manchester United, claiming he will turn things around at the club.

Oscars 2014: The selfie that broke Twitter

Moyes has endured a painful start to his first season at Old Trafford, with the Premier League champions in seventh place, currently 18 points behind leaders Chelsea. Moyes has also seen his side knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round and on the brink of a Champions League exit, having lost 2-0 to Greek side Olympiakos in the last-16 first leg last Tuesday.

"They [United] will be all right," said Ferguson, speaking in Los Angeles at a party thrown by British Consul-General Chris O'Connor ahead of the Oscars. "It's early days and there have been a lot of changes.

Oscars 2014: The winners list in full

"He [Moyes] needs time. I was there for 27 year, so with a new manager, it takes time. But they'll be OK."

Ferguson, who has been constantly been spotted in the stands at United matches this season, hand-picked Moyes to replace him after he stepped down at the end of last season, but the prospect of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 19 years remains a very real possibility now.