"David Moyes rejected Sir Alex Ferguson's advice" - Eric Steele

Eric Steele (C), with David de Gea (L) and Anders Lindegaard (R)

Eric Steele, former Manchester United goalkeeping coach was axed by David Moyes at the start of the season along with assistant manager Mike Phelan and first-team coach Rene Meulensteen who were let go of too.

In place of them, Moyes brought with him Chris Woods, Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden from Everton and also appointed former United and Toffees midfielder Phil Neville in his first full-time coaching role.

There is immense pressure building up on Moyes, especially after the 2-1 home defeat to West Brom and Steele has now revealed how the summer changes has affected the club.

“He spoke to me, Mick and Rene,” Steele told the United We Stand fanzine. “I told him I thought it was a brave decision.

“He listened to the manager’s advice, but he wanted to be his own man.”

Steele joined United in 2008 from Manchester City and is widely credited for turning David de Gea into one of the league’s best goalkeepers after a not-so-good start.

While he does respect Moyes’s decision, Steele is of the opinion that Manchester United FC has not quite benefited from it.

“I didn’t want to leave. Why would I?” he added. “I knew that David was coming in and wondered who he’d bring.

“You had the United perspective – the manager saying, ‘Keep what we’ve got, keep the continuity, work with them and they’ll guide you through. You’re taking on a massive machine here. You’ve gone from Marks and Spencer’s to Harrods.’

“Then there’s David’s viewpoint, which I understand. I know him professionally. I know his work ethic, his hands-on approach.

“I don’t blame him for doing what he did. I’ve been in the game long enough to know how it is.

“But it’s ironic, isn’t it? You’ve just been part of a team that has had a great season and won the league. David De Gea‘s had his best season. Does it make sense that you’re not retained to continue the good work? Sadly, that’s out of my hands.

Currently placed 12th on the league table, 8 points behind leaders Arsenal, United have a long, tough road ahead. But despite this, players and Steele think that the new management will prove themselves.

“There were massive changes – the manager, chief executive, Scholes retiring and the coaches,” said Steele.

“But there are enough players in that dressing room to win when it really starts.

“My time was up, I’m proud of what I did at United, and I have great memories.”