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An Evertonian long involved in their main fanzine When Skies Are Grey (the first few issues of which originated in Porthmadog over 25 years ago) asked this week: 'Are United fans starting to think it might have been better to keep Moyes rather than opt for the increasingly erratic van Gaal?'

United fans aren't really thinking along those lines. David Moyes received immense support last season, but while United have suffered many wobbles this season, Moyes struggled. I've spoken to him about his time at Old Trafford and his line is a consistent one.

"When I took the job, Sir Alex made me well aware of what was required and what was needed," said the Scot over chats in Preston and San Sebastian. "He was a big support to me and he helped me with many of the things at the start of the job which I needed. But if I knew I was going to only have ten months and not six years I would've approached the whole job differently. I felt I deserved more time."

That's fair enough, more so with the benefit of hindsight since his successor has found the job equally challenging. And if van Gaal too fails to steer United into the Champions League he will find that pressure building. But, having spent £150 million, United are in a slightly better position than a year ago and van Gaal still enjoys significant support, albeit from fans frustrated at what they consider overly cautious football.

LOOK: United's defeat against Swansea in pictures

The football played by Moyes' side at Real Sociedad is not dissimilar - with good reason. He arrived at the club facing relegation in November and was charged with getting them back up the table. He didn't have players of the quality he'd worked with in England and so set about making La Real better organised, lifting their confidence and making them harder to beat. Despite losing a key player, Carlos Vela, to injury, despite not yet speaking Spanish and despite not bringing any new talent in during the January transfer window (though it wasn't for trying), Moyes has achieved this.

In his first 100 days in charge, his side have been beaten only three times in 13 league games and one of those defeats was at Real Madrid away. They've won four games and drawn six of the other 10. Frustratingly they conceded late goals from a winning position but this was because his players weren't fit enough. They were good for an hour before fading. With a tough Moyes pre-season behind them and some intelligent summer signings, they should continue improving.

Moyes has had several successes in the winter months since taking charge, with the home defeat over Barcelona his greatest achievement so far. He received a text message from Sir Alex Ferguson after that one saying: 'Congratulations on a great victory!' Sunday's 4-3 home win against fourth placed Sevilla was another highlight, especially as Moyes' side finished strongly, coming from 3-2 down after 82 minutes to snatch an 89th minute winner. Evidence of the fitness work done by Moyes and his Scottish assistant Billy McKinlay is working and their side are now up to 10th - albeit still only eighth points off relegation and 17 off the sixth place they'd at least need to get back into Europe.

McKinlay's other talent has been bringing a kettle over from the UK, which the pair put to good use in the training ground. Most Spanish households don't have kettles.

The pair may miss Walkers Shortbread and Irn Bru (though Moyes was also sent a couple of cases), but they're enjoying the beautiful Basque Country. Moyes is taking two Spanish classes a week with an English lad who's a Spanish speaker. He also has an interpreter, Eric, whom Moyes calls Eric Mourinho.

Their away form remains poor and they're the only side in the league not to win on the road so far this term, but none of the six managers appointed in La Liga during this season have done as well as Moyes.

Real Sociedad will face further set backs, but if the club can hold onto their best players and not sell them as they've had to sell the brilliant Antoine Griezmann and Asier Illarramendi for large sums in recent years. If they can bring in the talents Moyes will identify, players like Danny Ings, then the improvement, and Moyes' rehabilitation as a top football manager, will continue.