David Moyes has left Manchester United with Ryan Giggs set to take over as caretaker-manager. It is understood Moyes was sacked by vice-chairman Ed Woodward during a meeting at the club's Carrington training ground shortly after 8am this morning.
A club statement on Twitter said: "Manchester United announces that 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."
It is understood that Ryan Giggs will take charge of the team for the remaining four games of the season. The news had been widely expected after it was widely reported on Monday afternoon that Moyes was to be axed in the wake of Sunday's 2-0 defeat at his former club, Everton. Moyes, appointed on a six-year contract only last summer, took over a team crowned champions last season.
However, a miserable campaign has seen them fail to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in almost 20 years and the Red Devils currently sit seventh in the Premier League table. Moyes, who spent 11 years at Everton before moving to Old Trafford, always knew he had a tough act to follow with his predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson regarded as the most successful British manager of all time.
But few could have predicted the season would go as badly as it has with United having lost 11 of their 34 league games so far. The run means are are struggling to even qualify for the Europa League. Moyes has spent more than £60million on recruiting Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini in the last two transfer windows and there have been suggestions that the club is prepared to throw another £200million at improving the squad this summer. In the immedaite aftermath of Moyes' departure, Louis van Gaal was the bookies' favourite to become the next permanent United manager. He is currently due to lead the Netherlands at this summer's World Cup.
