• Premier League

Sir Alex: Any trophy an achievement

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes David Moyes can win silverware this season © Getty Images

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Sir Alex Ferguson believes it would be a "fantastic achievement" for his Manchester United successor David Moyes to win any trophy this season.

Moyes has endured a rocky start to life at Old Trafford after taking over from Ferguson, and was frustrated again as Southampton scored a late equaliser to draw 1-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

It means United have won just three of their opening eight Premier League matches to fall eight points behind early leaders Arsenal - but they have begun their Champions League campaign well and defeated Liverpool to advance in the Capital One Cup.

In an exclusive interview with MUTV, Ferguson said any kind of silverware should be regarded as a success this season.

"For David, winning a trophy would be a fantastic achievement no matter what it is - the League Cup, FA Cup, European Cup or Premier League," he said.

"We've always had priorities obviously, and David is aware of that, but I hope he achieves it."

United, who have never finished lower than third in the Premier League era, are currently eighth in the table, but Ferguson stressed: "The key for David is not to look to do anything better or less but just to maintain what the club has been for 20-odd years and keep the success going.

"It is not easy winning a trophy in our league because you could say there are six teams fighting for the league."

He said he believed Moyes would be given the space and time to do the job, saying: "He has great support at the club. It is a fantastically-run football club.

"I remember saying to the board back in David [Gill]'s time that the manager is the most important person at the club.

"He always will be, whether it's Alex Ferguson, David Moyes or Matt Busby. The most important person in the club is the manager, and that must always be sacrosanct. In fairness, the club have always stuck by that rigid belief."

He said he believed his ability to adapt had been crucial to his managerial success, explaining: "You must embrace the change.

"I've said it many times: The bus is leaving. If you're not on the bus you're left behind, and that applies to the manager as well.

"I think I did that very well, particularly in my last decade. You must have the humility to do that and not think the world should never change because you're stuck with your ideas and philosophies."

But he said the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in his final season at the helm had left him with a sense of frustration, adding: "I always felt our record in Europe should have been better. Last year sums it up.

"The Nani sending off was a kick in the teeth for me. From a winning position against Real, the game was taken away by a really, really ridiculous decision.

"I knew [it was my last chance of winning the Champions League]. I just couldn't go to the press conference. I was gutted for everyone.

"I loved the European final [when United beat Chelsea in 2008], I must admit, but it's not an easy tournament now because all the best teams are in there."

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