Sir Alex Ferguson has backed David Moyes to turn Manchester United's dismal run of form around and become a success at Old Trafford if he is given the time.
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United are languishing in seventh place in the Premier League, 18 points off leaders Chelsea, and face the possibility of missing out on the Champions League quarterfinals after a disastrous 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos in Athens in midweek.
The club also crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round with a home defeat to Swansea, and lost to Sunderland in the semifinals of the League Cup. United look a distant bet to secure Champions League football next season with fourth-placed Manchester City 12 points ahead of them, and possessing two games in hand.
But Ferguson, who chose Moyes to take over at the club following his retirement at the end of last season, insists his successor can overcome his early struggles at United if he is given time.
"They [United] will be all right," Ferguson, speaking in Los Angeles at a party thrown by British Consul-General Chris O'Connor, said in quotes reported by the Daily Telegraph ahead of Sunday's Oscars. "It's early days and there have been a lot of changes. He [Moyes] needs time. I was there for 27 years, so with a new manager, it takes time. But they'll be OK."
Moyes retains the support of the club's owners, the Glazer family, and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, and has been promised significant funds to strengthen his squad in the summer.
However following next Saturday's trip to The Hawthorns to face West Brom, United embark on what could be a crucial run of three home games in nine days against Liverpool, Olympiakos and Manchester City.