David Moyes never thought replacing Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager was going to be easy and warned the transition may be a lengthy one.
Last Sunday's 4-1 defeat at Manchester City has brought an even sharper focus on Moyes than already existed following his appointment as Ferguson's successor in the summer.
Various reasons have been put forward for the scale of United's defeat at the Etihad Stadium, which in terms of its one-sided nature had more in common with the 5-1 drubbing Ferguson's team sustained at City's hands in 1989 rather than the hiding suffered at Old Trafford two years ago, when the visitors scored three in stoppage time.
But it did seem to be the day when long-held reservations about United's squad were exposed.
Moyes knows the six-year contract he was handed when he left Everton in May took that reshaping into account.
"I don't think it was ever going to be the case this was going to be easy and smooth after Sir Alex," said Moyes.
"There was always going to be days like this and there might well be more days like this.
"I hope not, but there will be because that is football.
"It was always going to be tough following such a great manager with a great team and I think people with real football knowledge will know there are probably some changes to be made.
Moyes now has to prove his skeptics wrong by getting his team to perform more impressively when they play Liverpool in the third round of the Capital One competition this evening.
The return of Luis Suarez in Liverpool’s line-up after serving his 10-match ban should be a source of concern for Moyes who will miss the services of dependable striker, Robin van Persie, out with a groin injury.
Elsewhere, holders Swansea City, who thrashed Bradford City in last season's final, visit Birmingham City, while Newcastle United host Leeds United and Stoke travel to third-tier Tranmere Rovers. League leaders, Arsenal visit West Bromwich Albion.
Source: Sportinglife
