David Moyes needs time to rebuild a ageing Manchester United squad

HE HAS been in the job for less than six months – but Manchester United manager David Moyes is already under pressure following a poor run of form.

Granted, things haven’t been going well, with United losing two home games in a row, something unheard of under Sir Alex Ferguson. As a result, they sit ninth in the Premier League table, 13 points behind leaders Arsenal and seven points outside the Champions League places.

From what I can gather, United fans are very much split on what should happen next. Some want the former Everton boss out now, while others are arguing that he should be given time to turn things around.

Having watched the club I support, Chelsea, chop and change managers with almost farcical regularity over the past few years, I would call for United fans to remain calm and stick with Moyes.

A few years ago, when Roy Keane was struggling at Ipswich, I heard a statistic that changed the way I looked at clubs changing managers.

Keane had made a worse start to life at Ipswich than any manager since Bobby Robson. The point may have been that Keane was doing worse than any manager in 30 years, but I looked at it another way.

Despite his terrible start at the club, Robson went on to become the most successful manager in Ipswich history, leaving the club to take on England, before later managing Barcelona.

He was given time by the board at Portman Road – and he paid them back with amazing success.

Manchester United have the money and pulling power to stick with Moyes, even if he fails to guide them into the top four this year. It’s not ideal, but the club can survive a year without the Champions League, while I can’t imagine many players turning down a move to Old Trafford because they are not in the competition for one season.

Sir Alex is no mug. He retired at a really opportune moment, just when he needed to rebuild the team again.

Having missed out on the title two years ago on goal difference, he brought in Robin van Persie, a 29-year-old striker with a poor injury record, paying a high transfer fee and undoubtedly high wages.

It won the great man one final title – but was it a move he would have made had he not been retiring? I’m not sure.

When Moyes walked into Old Trafford on July 1 he inherited a creaking squad. There’s still plenty of quality but the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic need to be phased out and at present, United lack the players to replace them.

United didn’t do well in the summer transfer-wise, there’s no doubting that, but bear in mind that Moyes only had a few weeks to assess where he needed to strengthen and bring in the required players.

He failed – but I very much doubt it’s a mistake he will make again.

I expect United to keep faith with Moyes, even if they finish outside the top four this season. If they do that, with the money and pulling power at his disposal, he will turn things around.

England handed a tough draw at the World Cup

So, England will face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Brazil next summer.

It’s a tough draw but I’m not sure what to make of it.

Facing Italy first in the Amazon is not ideal but I don’t think we will be up against a vintage Italian team. They are still heavily reliant on Andrea Pirlo, who is an outstanding player but will be 35 by time the tournament comes around. How’s he going to fare in 99 per cent humidity?

Uruguay have fantastic strikers in Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan, but they are nowhere near as strong in defence or midfield. Keep the forwards quiet and we should have a chance.

The good thing about the draw is the potential last-16 tie. Should England get through the group, they will face one of Colombia, Ivory Coast, Greece or Japan. It won’t be easy to reach the quarter-finals, but it could be a lot worse.