Sir Alex Ferguson slams Man Utd boss who tried to outline 'manhood' and 'sapped morale'

David Moyes lasted less than a year as manager of Manchester United

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has accused David Moyes of "sapping morale" and provoking the players during his time as Manchester United manager.

 

Moyes took the reins at Old Trafford after Ferguson's retirement in 2013 and immedaitely made sweeping changes, replacing the entire coaching staff including assistant manager Mike Phelan.

And Ferguson has questioned those decisions in his new book, Leading.

 

“I’m sure there are things that David would do differently if he had the opportunity to relive his time at Old Trafford,” Ferguson writes.

“Such as keeping Mick Phelan who would have been the invaluable guide to the many layers of the club that Ryan Giggs is to Louis van Gaal today.

“There is no point suddenly changing routines that players are comfortable with. It is counterproductive, saps morale and immediately provokes players to question the new man’s motives. 

 

After Moyes took the job he axed Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant Mike Phelan (right)

"A leader who arrives in a new setting, or inherits a big role, needs to curb the impulse to display his manhood.”

Moyes eventually paid the price by losing his job less than a year into his tenure.

Ferguson revealed Moyes wasn't his first choice to succeed him as United boss, insisting he actually made contact with Pep Guardiola before the Spaniard took the Bayern Munich job.

The Scot also claims Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had been considered before he agreed to re-join Chelsea, while other targets Jurgen Klopp and Van Gaal were unattainable.