Manchester United's Champions League chances written off by new boss David Moyes
28 Sep 2013 22:31
"To win it, you have to have five or six world-class players. We’ve not got that" admits manager as West Brom win at Old Trafford
David Moyes has urged Manchester United’s fans to keep the faith after a defeat to West Brom that saw a section of the Old Trafford faithful turn on the champions.
Moyes’ flops were jeered off after goals by Morgan Amalfitano and Saido Berahino had given the Baggies their first win on United soil in 35 years.
United’s third defeat in six games makes it their worst start to a season since 1989 - and leaves the Premier League champions slumped in mid-table, three points above the relegation zone.
But Moyes came out fighting.
Asked what message he wanted to send to the fans, he said: “Support your team and club. In football, there is no guarantee that you are going to win games.
“This is a great club and we have a great team - and the fans can be sure that we will do everything to put this right.
“I am concerned - but only because we aren’t playing well. There’s a lot of games left and it isn’t because of a lack of trying.
“It was a poor performance and a poor result. I can’t argue that West Brom were the better team and deserved their victory.
“After beating Liverpool in midweek, I wanted us to gain some momentum. But we lacked any spark. We had a lot of possession in the first half, but just didn’t create enough chances.”
Moyes and United head to Ukraine to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League this week.
And Moyes has already warned that the squad he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson might be the reigning champions of England - but aren’t good enough to conquer Europe.
Moyes said: “To win the Champions League you have to have five or six world-class players.
“If you look at Bayern Munich, they have five or six really world-class players, and to win it you might have to have that in your squad.
“Look at Barcelona, who had it in the past, and Real Madrid have maybe got it now.
“That’s the level you have to get at to win it. We’ve not got that yet. What we have got is experience and several players who are in that category or close to it.”
Baggies boss Steve Clarke was without eight players through injury, and then saw Scott Sinclair limp off to be replaced by Berahino after just 13 minutes at Old Trafford.
But Amalfitano put Albion ahead with a sensational solo effort after 54 minutes.
Although Wayne Rooney levelled with a fortuitous free-kick four minutes later, England Under-21 international Berahino won it for the Baggies with a spectacular winner in the 67th minute.
There were some grumblings of discontent among the home fans when he replaced Shinji Kagawa with teenager Adnan Januzaj at half-time after giving the Japanese midfielder a rare run-out.
Moyes added: “I thought Adnan did well when he came on – even if he was a bit nervous at first.
“We wanted Shinji to feel like he’s getting an opportunity to show what he can do.”
Moyes added: “West Brom deserved their win.
“They were well organised at the back and going forward they always carried a threat. What I’m looking for now is a response. We will sort it out.”
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