Sir Alex Ferguson agreed David Moyes had to be sacked as Manchester United manager in secret hotel meeting



Poll Who should replace Moyes at Man United? Louis Van Gaal Ryan Giggs Diego Simeone Sir Alex Ferguson Jurgen Klopp Other Who should replace Moyes at Man United? Louis Van Gaal 2615 votes

Ryan Giggs 1628 votes

Diego Simeone 810 votes

Sir Alex Ferguson 1456 votes

Jurgen Klopp 2702 votes

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Sir Alex Ferguson played a pivotal role in the decision to sack David Moyes as manager of Manchester United.

Less than a year after choosing Moyes as his successor, the former United boss was one of a group of directors who sealed his fate in a Manchester hotel on Sunday night.

Moyes was officially dismissed in person by United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward at 7.40am on Tuesday at the club’s Carrington training ground. United then released a statement saying: ‘David Moyes has left the club. The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role.’

VIDEO Scroll down for Roy Keane describes Sir Alex Ferguson as ruthless



End of the line: Moyes lasted just 10 months of his six-year contract having been appointed last summer Time's up: Sir Alex Ferguson agreed that David Moyes had to be sacked at a secret meeting I'm done: David Moyes was relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager on Tuesday Confirmation: Manchester United released a short statement on Twitter with the news

Ryan Giggs has been put in charge of team affairs until the end of the season but is not a candidate for the job. Nor has the Welshman been assured of a place in the coaching set-up under whoever does come in.

The news that Ferguson had given up on Moyes so early will shock United fans. It is understood Sir Alex had developed doubts about his successor as long as two months ago, realising he had made a big mistake.

Ferguson, along with Woodward, former chief executive David Gill and United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, decided on Sunday night to get rid of Moyes before the end of the season, as had initially been planned.

Early morning meeting: United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward delivered the news face-to-face Untenable: United's results under Moyes went from bad to worse and Old Trafford chief had had enough How long? Ferguson stepped down last summer after 26 years in charge at Old Trafford Final straw: United were brushed aside by Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday

THE CONTENDERS

LOUIS VAN GAAL League titles: 7

Other trophies: 12 DIEGO SIMEONE

League titles: 2

Other trophies: 3 CARLO ANCELOTTI League titles: 3

Other trophies: 11 P.S. Van Gaal would not be in place until after the World Cup, but United should be wary of a late summer arrival. Moyes began in July, and look what happened to him...

Giggs is viewed by the club as a United manager of the future and hope Moyes’s successor decides to keep him on. They also hope to find a place in the overall structure for another favoured son, Paul Scholes.

Holland coach Louis van Gaal remains favourite to take charge but United also plan to sound out Carlo Ancelotti, who is becoming unsettled at Real Madrid, and would be prepared to spend heavily to prise him away from one of their great European rivals. United feel an opportunity may arise with the former Chelsea coach in the weeks to come, especially if Real go out of the Champions League.

Some United players have already expressed reservations about Van Gaal but the club do not intend to take advice from within the first team. United denied reports of a meeting with the Dutchman in Switzerland but Sportsmail understands an approach was made when the Old Trafford hierarchy learned Van Gaal was close to agreeing terms with Spurs.



Miracle: Moyes found it impossible to maintain the high standards set by predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson

Bright beginnings: Moyes started work at Old Trafford on July 1 last summer just 10 months ago

A leading Dutch newspaper claimed the meeting took place 11 or 12 days ago, with Woodward and a member of the Glazer family in attendance.

United say that meeting, which followed their Champions League defeat in Munich, was with adidas to discuss kit sponsorship.

But Van Gaal does have a Swiss adviser and always conducts his most important meetings in that country, having already met Spurs chairman Daniel Levy there. The 62-year-old is believed to be on holiday on Portugal’s Algarve coast, considering the three offers he has been made.

Ashamed: Roy Keane blasted Manchester United's players after David Moyes's dismissal Incoming? Former Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal is among the leading contenders for the job Up and coming: Diego Simeone has guided Atletico to the top of La Liga and the Champions League last four

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is not a candidate, while Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola and former United defender Laurent Blanc, now at PSG, are not in the running.

It is feared that Klopp could be too similar to Moyes — brilliant with limited resources but lacking the skills required by an elite club. Another possible candidate, Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone, lacks both experience and a grasp of English.