Sacked David Moyes: Manchester United should have given me more time

David Moyes: Off-stage moves for big-name players came to nothing

Sky Sports News understands Moyes accepts his sacking on Tuesday was down to poor results which saw last season's champions slump to seventh - out of the Champions League and guaranteed their worst Premier League points total.

But in the months before his departure the Scot repeatedly suggested a major rebuilding job was required at Old Trafford this summer.

It is understood Moyes felt some of United's players found it difficult to adapt to his methods following the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Sky Sports News has also been told that Moyes did not manage to match Ferguson's father-son relationships with some of his squad.

Ferguson's successor was happy with what he saw on the training ground but felt his players often struggled to take their performances into matches.

And, as for his dealings in the transfer market, Sky Sports News has been told that United targeted many players the public did not hear about but struggled to attract top talent.

United's public pursuit of Cesc Fabregas ended in failure, while moves for Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera and Everton left-back Leighton Baines came to nothing.

The task of spending a reported £150m transfer fund this summer will now fall to Moyes' successor, and Sky Bet make current Holland boss Louis van Gaal an odds-on favourite for the job.

The former Barcelona manager's credentials were yesterday endorsed by Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who said: "He suits Manchester United down to the ground. The timing is perfect."

Next in the betting is Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who had Ray Wilkins as an assistant during his time at Chelsea.

Wilkins told Sky Sports: "The name that jumps out at me is Carlo Ancelotti.

"The Copa del Rey is not enough for Real Madrid, so if he doesn't win La Liga or the Champions League, he may become available. He speaks English, knows the Premier League and I think he would be ideal."

In the meantime, interim manager Ryan Giggs arrived at the Red Devils' Carrington training complex on Wednesday morning to continue preparations for this weekend's home game against Norwich.

It is believed Giggs will not be considered as a full-time replacement, but they hope United's most-decorated player will become part of the new manager's backroom staff.

For the final four games of the season, Giggs will be assisted by Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Chris Woods - the latter two keeping their jobs despite being brought in by Moyes.

Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden were also brought in by the Scot but they have been fired.

Giggs' temporary tenure has been talked up by his former team-mate Quinton Fortune, who said via the club's Twitter site: "The amount of respect the players have for him is unbelievable."

Watch Manchester United v Norwich live on Sky Sports 1 this Saturday. Kick-off is at 5.30pm