David Moyes took a potentially dangerous stand on Tuesday night as he admitted responsibility for Manchester United’s poor form this season.
The reigning Premier League champions United were beaten 3—0 at home by Manchester City — their second recent 3—0 loss at Old Trafford — leaving them seventh, 12 points away from a Champions League spot.
With just seven games to go, United look destined for the Europa League at best, unless they can win the Champions League this season, in which they face holders and freshly crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the last eight.
“I am the one who picks the team,” a downcast Moyes said. “I take responsibility and always will do. It is disappointing.
“I thought it would be a tough year but I hoped it would be more competitive.” The loss to City was their sixth home defeat of the Premier League season, Moyes’ first in charge since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Everybody knows this is a job that is going to take a little bit of time to get the way we would like but that is the job,” Moyes said.
Many of United’s established stars are either moving on at the end of the season or have already gone, leaving Moyes the task of building his own side.
“Other clubs have had to do rebuilding jobs — we hope it won’t take as long as some others but we have a period of time to get to that level,” he said.
