David Moyes ignored Sir Alex Ferguson by axing old backroom team at Manchester United

 New Manchester United boss David Moyes went against the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson by not retaining his backroom staff, claims former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

Fergie urged Moyes to maintain some sense of continuity when the former Everton gaffer replaced him in the Old Trafford hotseat, but Moyes was keen to brining in his own team and do it his way, according to Steele.

The pressure is building on Moyes after the champions slumped to their third defeat in six Premier League games at home to West Brom on Saturday.

Now lying in 12th place, it represents the Red Devils’ worst top-flight start since 1989.

Ferguson himself told United fans they must keep faith with whoever it was who replaced him after his incredible tenue at the club.

But the sluggish start has only focused attention on the debate over whether Moyes was the right man to replace his fellow Scot, especially after he released Fergie’s No.2 Mike Phelan, first-team coach Rene Meulensteen and Steele and brought in Steve Round, Jimmy Lumsden and Chris Woods with him from Everton.

Speaking to the United We Stand fanzine, Steele said: ‘He [Moyes] spoke to me, Mick and Rene. I told him I thought it was a brave decision.

‘He [Moyes] listened to the manager’s advice, but he wanted to be his own man. I didn’t want to leave. Why would I? I knew that David was coming in and wondered who he’d bring.

‘You had the United perspective – the manager saying, “Keep what we’ve got, keep the continuity, work with them and they’ll guide you through. You’re taking on a massive machine here. You’ve gone from Marks and Spencer’s to Harrods”.

‘Then there’s David’s viewpoint, which I understand. I know him professionally. I know his work ethic, his hands-on approach.

‘I don’t blame him for doing what he did. I’ve been in the game long enough to know how it is.

‘But it’s ironic, isn’t it? You’ve just been part of a team that has had a great season and won the league. David De Gea’s had his best season. Does it make sense that you’re not retained to continue the good work? Sadly, that’s out of my hands.

‘There were massive changes – the manager, chief executive, [Paul] Scholes retiring and the coaches. But there are enough players in that dressing room to win when it really starts.

‘My time was up, I’m proud of what I did at United and I have great memories.’

Adapted from The Metro