• Premier League

Queiroz: Moyes must be given time

Former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz believes David Moyes needs to be given time to adapt to life at Old Trafford after a "difficult" start, and says the club needs consistency after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes has struggled in his first campaign in charge of United, with his side languishing seventh in the Premier League and 11 points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

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Despite the reigning English champions' troubles this year, Queiroz - now manager of World Cup qualifiers Iran - thinks Moyes has the talent to succeed at United if given the proper backing.

"Moyes deserved the chance [to manage United]," the Daily Mirror reports Queiroz as saying. "It was not a decision which fell out of the sky. It was a decision that came from a lot of mature thoughts and reflections.

"In the near future, he will put things right, I am very much confident about that. He was a manager Sir Alex and I always respected when we worked together. He did a great job at Everton. I think he just needs time to adapt.

"Sir Alex is still there. I am sure David has been watching around and has a lot of great advisors in this moment."

While Moyes has come under heavy fire from pundits, fans, and even veiled criticisms from his own players, Queiroz says that replacing a manager like Ferguson was always going to be tough.

"It has been difficult for Manchester United this season, there is absolutely no doubt about that," he continued.

"I knew changing coach would not be easy. To cross this bridge after Sir Alex being with the team for so many years, in one way, I think we were always going to have to expect some difficult moments. It is natural.

"But I am very much confident the club has a lot of experience, it is strong, it has a persistent culture. I am sure David Moyes in a short period in time will do the right things at the club and the team will start to perform."

Queiroz spent five years at Old Trafford in two spells either side of managing Real Madrid between 2003-04, and believes confidence in Moyes' ability will be key for the club progressing.

"The success of Manchester United was based on a couple of principles. The first thing was it had a good foundation of consistency, continuity, trust and confidence.

"The other thing I learned when I was at the club: the club always had a strong belief with the people that work inside it - they trust themselves.

"I want to believe that it is just a tough time at the moment and in a short period of time we will see the Manchester United everyone expects.

"I have been in that experience and the most important feeling is to trust each other, believe each other, and make the right decisions. If you are not able to win today, I am sure tomorrow things will be right. I think they need to be given time."

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