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Carlos Queiroz has told Manchester United to keep faith in beleaguered boss David Moyes, writes Simon Bird in Florianopolis, Brazil.

The former Man United coach says Moyes was eyed-up years ago by Sir Alex Ferguson to take over the Old Trafford giants, and there is no point scrapping their grand plan now.

Queiroz, now manager of World Cup qualifiers Iran, said: “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.”

Former Everton manager Moyes has seen the championship-winning squad he inherited go backwards, losing lost eight matches in the Premier League so they now trail leaders Chelsea by 15 points.

They are outsiders to qualify for the Champions League next season as they are 11 points behind fourth-placed Liverpool with 12 matches to play, and are out of both domestic cups.

Moyes’ tactics are being questioned and he is losing key players, including long-time captain and defensive rock Nemanja Vidic, in a major summer rebuild.

Queiroz, who worked for five years at United alongside Ferguson over two separate spells, revealed he had a hunch Fergie fancied his fellow Scotsman as his successor.

(Image: Amin M. Jamali)

The Portuguese said: “Moyes deserved the chance. 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.”

But Queiroz says it was inevitable that this transition season would be testing for the club.

He said: “It has been difficult for Manchester United this season, there is absolutely no doubt about that.

“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."