Departing Moyes thanks everyone bar the players

David Moyes thanked pretty much everyone at Manchester United bar his former players when he spoke publicly about his dismissal for the first time.

Moyes was sacked on Tuesday just 10 months into a six-year contract.

During his short tenure, Moyes repeatedly insisted he enjoyed a good relationship with his players despite rumours to the contrary.

Yet those players who regularly post on social networking sites have remained mysteriously quiet since Moyes left — even though the Scot remained at Carrington on Tuesday for a few hours after his dismissal to say goodbye to them.

Moyes thanked Alex Ferguson for appointing him and there was also a mention for the United fans.

Moyes said: “During this period of transition, performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration.

“I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter-finals of this year’s Champions League and I remain grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage Manchester United.”

There was no mention of the playing staff but former United full-back Gary Neville said: “I don’t think we should read too much into it. I think he was pretty respectful in his statement.”

Moyes can have few qualms about his dismissal after leaving the club in seventh position, but the LMA claimed the manner of the sacking was wrong.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: “The LMA is very disappointed with the nature of David’s departure from Manchester United and to read extensive reports in the press, confirming David’s sacking, before David himself had been spoken to officially by the club.

“Throughout his time at United, David, as he always does, has conducted himself with integrity and professionalism, values that he believes in and that have been strongly associated with the club and its rich tradition.

“It is therefore sad to see the end of David’s tenure at United being handled in an unprofessional manner.”

Manchester United insisted they had acted professionally and responsibly.

A United spokesman said: “We do not accept that it was handled in an unprofessional manner.

“The decision was not taken until late Monday night and was communicated face-to-face first thing on Tuesday morning.

“When reports started emerging on internet news sites on Monday afternoon, no decision had been taken at that time.”

Moyes was accused of failing to understand the enormity of the task in hand by one of Ferguson’s former coaches, Rene Meulensteen.

“Maybe in hindsight David probably underestimated the magnitude of the position,” Meulensteen said.

“I tried to explain to David that it would be like going from steering a yacht to a cruise liner.”

Ryan Giggs will take charge of the first-team until a new manager is found, with Louis van Gaal, Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone being mentioned as possible candidates.

Former United midfielder Paul Scholes is now back coaching at the club — Moyes tried to persuade him to join his backroom staff at the start of the season, but he failed.

The sharp rise in the value of United’s shares after Moyes was sacked was wiped out in the space of an hour when the New York Stock Exchange opened for trading on Wednesday.

United’s share price rose to 18.78 US dollars, its highest point since Ferguson’s retirement last May, at close of trading on Tuesday but was down 6.8 per cent to 17.50 dollars within an hour of trading reopening.