THE PRESSURE AND expectation of the Manchester United job meant it was “a step too far” for David Moyes, Paul McGrath said.
United drew a line under the ill-fated experiment this morning and sacked Moyes after just 11 months in charge.
The decision was ruthless, admitted McGrath, who spent seven seasons at Old Trafford under Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson.
“It’s been a terrible year to be honest to be a Manchester United fan,” he told the John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
“I don’t think anyone expected him to win the league in his first season but them having been champions the year before has added to his woes.
To suddenly come out and not be able to perform at Old Trafford in front of the faithful, it has been too much for a lot of United fans.
Ryan Giggs will reportedly be named as interim manager later this afternoon with Louis van Gaal the bookies’ favourite to be Moyes’ permanent successor.
In a short statement issued through Twitter this morning, United thanked Moyes for “the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role.”
McGrath said: ”I would have met him once or twice but I don’t know him that well.”
“I would have thought he was very similar to Alex Ferguson in his ways. He was a very honest man.
I think he would have been in the game not for the financial gain or stuff like that but because he actually genuinely loves the game.
“He would have done his best. He was very, very loyal to Everton when he was there over a number of years and to suddenly get the chance to manage Manchester United was a huge thing for him.
“I think he’ll be really hurting this morning because of not being up to the job. I think it was just a step too far for David to be honest.”
