David Moyes: I feel no pressure from Manchester United legends

Manchester United manager David Moyes insists the presence of former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is not a problem.

The defeat to Sunderland in the Capital One Cup semi-final last night was United’s third in a row. Fabio Borini scored a second half penalty to subject United to their third defeat in 2014 despite the year only a week old.

The man who chose Moyes to take over at United is a constant figure in the directors’ box and he was present for the defeat to bottom-of-the-league Sunderland, too. Sir Bobby Charlton was also in the stands and showed his disappointment at the final whistle with a rueful shake of the head to Ferguson.

It is the first time United have lost three matches in a row for nearly 13 years and the first time they have lost three times in a week since 1992.

Asked if their presence was an added pressure, he said: “Not at all.

“Alex is a great sounding-board for me. He is there to help, so is Sir Bobby. He is terrific. Bryan Robson is at the training ground regularly, I speak to him regularly.

“I find the three of them terrific.”

Moyes claims that he is satisfied that the players are responding to his methods rather than living off the memories of Ferguson.

He said: “I have always been happy with how they players have been responding. I thought they were good tonight, apart from the opening 15 minutes.

“It’s always going to be a tough game. It’s only the first part of the game, so we have got a bit more to do in the second leg.

“This hasn’t happened at Manchester United for a long time. I thought the support was great. They are sticking with the club, sticking with the manager and that’s exactly what you need when you are not doing so well.”

Man Utd have lost eight times in all competitions so far this season. Last season they lost 10 overall.