Moyes issues challenge to players

Manchester United manager David Moyes has challenged his players to prove their critics wrong.

Moyes started his Old Trafford rebuilding job by smashing United's transfer record to bring Juan Mata to the club from Chelsea.

That £37.1million outlay is destined to be the last bit of significant business Moyes does in the current transfer window unless the Scot is given some unexpected encouragement with any of his other targets.

It means he must now trust his present squad to haul themselves out of the hole they have dug for themselves with so many tepid performances this term, particularly on home soil.

And, in his programme notes ahead of Tuesday's encounter with Cardiff, Moyes has made it perfectly clear what should be driving United on.

"I do believe now that we are playing for the Manchester United jersey and for pride in where we are," Moyes told United Review.

"There is still a long way to go this season and by the end of it we have to have shown we are much better than many people are making us out to be.

"On the training ground and in the dressing room I see determined and committed players who are desperate to put things right."

Moyes revealed he had been made aware when he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson last summer changes would be required, even if the scale of the task has caught many observers by surprise given United romped to the Premier League title by 11 points last term.

Moyes added: "When I joined the club, I joined knowing I was taking over a great squad who had just finished the season as champions, but I was also made very much aware that there would have to be changes made.

"Namely... a long-term plan and also looking within our own academy to introduce young players to the first team as often as we feel they warrant selection."