David Moyes confident he can turn around Manchester United's fortunes after Newcastle United defeat

 

David Moyes on Saturday night insisted that Manchester United were still in the Premier League title race despite his side suffering another shock home defeat that will leave them a daunting 15 points behind the leaders if Arsenal win at home against Everton on Sunday afternoon.

United’s 1-0 defeat by Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday was their second reverse at home in four days and means they have lost five of their first 15 league matches under Moyes, who admitted his team are playing poorly and lacking confidence. It is United’s worst start to a season since 2001-02.

But the Scot called for understanding that the club are in a “transition” period following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

“When I came here I knew it would not always be easy and it is proving that way,” Moyes admitted. “There is that period of transition but we hoped it would not be quite as poor as it has been in the last few games. But we will get it right.” Of the title race, Moyes added: “I stand firm that we will be very close to it and that we will be in and around it come the end of the season.”

Moyes was awarded a six-year contract when he succeeded Ferguson last summer and he retains the full support of the United board and the club’s owners, the Glazer family, but there will be growing concern at the team’s form. United are ninth in the table and are seven points behind Manchester City in fourth.