David Moyes has paid the price for a woeful first season in charge of Manchester United. Here are 10 of the results that cost him his job.
United were swept away in emphatic fashion as City ruthlessly exposed the gulf in class between the two teams. The hosts led 2-0 at half-time thanks to Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero, before two more inside five minutes of the restart all but sealed victory for Manuel Pellegrini’s men. A late consolation from Wayne Rooney did little to comfort United.
A superb Morgan Amalfitano run and chip had United rattled before Rooney’s free-kick found the back of Boaz Myhill’s net. Youngster Saido Berahino struck after 67 minutes to give the Baggies their first win at Old Trafford since 1978 - and ensure a worst start to a league campaign in 24 years for United.
United suffered their second home defeat in four days as Yohan Cabaye secured victory for the visitors – their first at Old Trafford since 1972 – after Moyes’ hold team had come back to haunt him with a 1-0 win, courtesy of Bryan Oviedo’s late strike.
This one appeared to be heading to a replay until a Wilfried Bony header after 90 minutes gave Swansea their first ever win at Old Trafford. It was United’s second defeat in four days after Tottenham had beaten them 2-1 in the Premier League. Fabio’s red card for a reckless challenge on Jose Canas capped another bad day for the hosts.
A comprehensive defeat at Stamford Bridge all but ended United’s Premier League title hopes, leaving them 14 points off pacesetters Arsenal. Captain Nemanja Vidic was sent off for a high lunge on Eden Hazard.
United’s season of woe hit new depths as they were knocked out by relegation-haunted Sunderland. Jonny Evans scored to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate to force extra-time, before David De Gea fumbled Phil Bardsley’s shot into his own net. Javier Hernandez struck for the home side with 120 minutes on the clock – but Sunderland edged a terrible penalty shoot-out, scoring two of the three spot-kicks converted.
Liverpool completed the double over United for the fourth time in the Premier League. Steven Gerrard scored two penalties and missed a third, before Luis Suarez scored late on for a team who finished 28 points behind the champions in 2012-13.
United were again completely outclassed by their local neighbours from the moment Edin Dzeko put the visitors in front inside the first minute. Moyes’ side never truly threatened City, who registered further goals from Dzeko and Toure. Defeat effectively ended United’s hopes of a late Champions League surge and left them in danger of missing out on the top six altogether.
United were comfortably second best throughout both legs of their quarter-final against the European champions. After having to overturn a 2-0 first-leg loss to Olympiacos in Greece in the previous round, United took the lead at the Allianz Arena through Patrice Evra’s stunning strike.
But the lead lasted just 22 seconds as Mario Mandzukic levelled and goals from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben settled the tie.
Moyes was booed on his return to Goodison Park and his players did little to improve his mood, producing an abject display as goals from Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas ended the visitors’ hopes of Champions League qualification.