SUNDERLAND -- David Moyes has said that his time at Manchester United was "too short" and he believes even Jose Mourinho would not have had an "easy ride" if he had followed Sir Alex Ferguson.
Moyes is preparing to return to Old Trafford to face United on Boxing Day, having been appointed by Sunderland in the summer on a four-year deal.
The Scot had joined United in summer 2013 but lasted just 10 months before being dismissed, with United going on to finish seventh in the Premier League, missing out on European qualification.
Moyes said in a news conference: "Most people looking back at it -- and me myself -- would say that whoever took over from Sir Alex wouldn't have had an easy ride, whether it was Jose, Carlo Ancelotti, Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola or David Moyes.
"It would have been a difficult job for whoever took over."
When asked if he thought he'd received a "raw deal" at United, the Sunderland manager said: "I would only say that because I had a long contract. People would now see it has taken a while for Manchester United to start to get back to where people see them and where the club would like to be.
"My time was too short. You have to win games and I didn't win enough games."