Former City Manager: United Squad Inherited By Moyes Are Not At Their Peak

Former Manchester City manager Joe Royle claims David Moyes's Manchester United squad are not at their peak.

The 50-year-old replaced Sir Alex Ferguson last summer as the former United manager stepped down from his post at Old Trafford after guiding the Red Devils to the Premier League title with almost the same squad.

Royle believes United's squad are in decline and it is the reason for the English champions' poor form this season. This has seen the former Everton boss receive criticism as the Red Devils have struggled in all competitions under their new manager.

"He's a strong manager who will make it very clear what he wants, even to the top stars. The problem at Man United is that the team he inherited, despite being champions last season, aren't at their peak," Royle explained.

United have been knocked out of the cup competitions and are on the brink of crashing out of the Champions League after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Olympiacos in Greece. In the league Moyes's side are sixth in the table with 45 points from 27 games, level on points with his seventh place Everton.

Royle, who was in charge at Everton and City insists that Moyes is capable of managing United. The 64-year-old has backed the former Toffees manager to come good at Old Trafford and has urged the supporters to give the Scot more time at Old Trafford.

"It's not all doom and gloom for Man United though. They're sixth in the league at the moment and still in the Champions League. To judge him on this team is very harsh, you must wait until the end of next season, then you'll see a David Moyes team," the former City manager stressed.

Moyes is likely to be handed a huge transfer budget to overhaul the squad in the summer. Meanwhile, United are having an uphill task to qualify for the Europe's best club competition next season.

They are trailing fourth place Liverpool by 11 points and fifth place Tottenham Hotspur by five points. With 11 games to go and considering the Reds's current form, it is unlikely that United could seal a place in the top four this season.