David Moyes says he is disappointed not to fulfil “big expectations” and continue Manchester United’s winning tradition.
But, on the eve of tonight’s derby with Manchester City, the underpressure Scot has vowed to move on and try to get it right.
United’s Premier League title defence has been a disaster as they toil in seventh place and, realistically, need to win the Champions League in order to play in the competition again next season.
After replacing Sir Alex Ferguson last summer, Moyes knew he would have to take “punches” if things went wrong.
But he said: “They’ve definitely hurt. They’ve hurt more because I joined Manchester United with big expectations myself, that I’m coming to the winning football club.
“I’ve got a winning mentality and that’s what I wanted to do, so I’m disappointed with myself and I’m disappointed that we’ve been unable to do that. But it’s not for the want of trying that’s for sure.
“It wouldn’t be right to say that there are things you wouldn’t maybe look at in a different way. I’ve looked back at many things and I think most of the things we’ve carried out we would continue to do so.
“I move on, but the first thing you always do is look at what you’ve done yourself and then move on and see if it’s something I maybe could have done better. But obviously we’ve got a team and a club that’s played a part as well.”
With frenzied talk about Moyes getting the sack over their poor campaign, United have flickered into life, overturning a 2-0 deficit against Olympiakos to set up a Champions League last-eight test with holders Bayern Munich.
They followed that with victory at West Ham and Moyes is hoping they can derail City’s plans to replace them as champions.
“I think this team and this club is capable of that (better performances),” he added. “I’ve always thought that and that’s why the expectation is that you would have more performances like that. We will go into the game and do everything we can to win it.”
City’s squad strength has made them favourites to win a third straight derby and show they are now the “best team” in Manchester.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini, whose side are 12 points above United, said: “When you have two important teams in the same city you always want to be the best team.
“But we are not just fighting against Manchester United. In some ways it doesn’t matter. If you say we lose the game and win the title, I prefer to win the title. But we can do both things.”
