Moyes: Nobody Said It'd Be Easy

Sunday's derby defeat against Manchester City was a setback for David Moyes but he is insistent that it will not deter him from the long-term project of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson and maintaining United's at the top of the game.

All eyes will be on the Reds boss's team on Wednesday in the Capital One Cup against Liverpool - and also when United return to league duty on Saturday against West Bromwich Albion - to see how his players react to the disappointing 4-1 loss to neighbours and rivals City at the weekend.

There is an acceptance on Moyes' part, however, that the club's transition from a manager who reigned for a quarter of a century to his own tenure and style of management will take time. Defeat to City hasn't changed his ambition to succeed in that task.

"It is a club on its own," says Moyes when asked whether he could have prepared himself for the unique nature of the job he has undertaken. "It's a fantastic place to work with great players. You try to prepare but you are never quite sure what you are going to get. But I have not been disappointed with what I have seen here that is for sure.

"I have really enjoyed the work. It has been a difficult period but I think we have done OK. With the exception of the last game I have been pretty pleased with how we have played."

Pressure and intense analysis of performances and results comes with the territory, as Moyes readily admitted in an interview with PA Sport and local radio on Tuesday. "If there is a reaction people should be expecting it. There were always going to be days like this and there might well be more days like this. I hope not, but there will be because that is football. Football does that to you.

"If people thought this was going to be easy and smooth after Sir Alex, I don't think that was ever going to be the case. It was always going to be tough following such a great manager with a great team. I think people with real football knowledge will know there are probably some changes to be made. It is not going to be made in one fell swoop. It is going to be done in time. That is why the Manchester United board realised the job that needed to be done needed to be a long-term one, not a short-term one.

"It is great working here with the players. They are a great group of players. But outside we have to make sure we do well enough to make sure other people think the work we are doing here is the right stuff."

Another opportunity to do that presents itself this week as attentions quickly turn to another of United's great rivals - Liverpool - in the Capital One Cup. "It is a big game for this club," adds the Reds boss. "It is a big game for Liverpool as well. It is the third round of the cup and it's a big draw. I am looking forward to getting back. It is the one thing that happens; you can have bad results but the next game isn't too far away here."