A defiant David Moyes insisted he won’t hide from his critics after some Manchester United fans paid for a plane to fly above Old Trafford calling his sacking.
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Moyes thanked those inside the ground for their vociferous backing during United’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa and is convinced the majority of United supporters are still behind him.
While the plane displayed a banner reading “Wrong One - Moyes Out” in the opening minutes, Moyes had walked out before either team on his way to the dugout and received a loud ovation from the United public.
And he vowed to carry on making himself visible in troubled times, explaining: “I just wanted everybody to know that I am the manager of the club and you know where I am. I stand on the edge of the pitch every week. That’s my job.”
The home fans responded to Ashley Westwood’s opening goal for Villa with chants of “United” before Wayne Rooney, with two goals, Juan Mata and Javier Hernandez scored in a comeback for Moyes’ side.
And the manager added: “I have found the support inside Old Trafford terrific and if ever there was a show of support for their football club and for their team, it was today.”
Moyes said the plane protest had little impact on him, claiming: “I was focused on the game. My be all and end all was to make sure we as a team and a club won the game.”
Mata scored his first goal for United since his club record 37.1 million-pound move from Chelsea in January and Moyes praised the Spaniard.
He said: “He has deserved it. His play has been very good. I think he has made a difference to the team. One of the reasons we bought him because he has got a goalscoring record, he has always scored goals. Wherever he plays for the team, he has made a difference.”
Meanwhile, striker Wayne Rooney was happy his side could register a win for both manager Moyes and the club's supporters.
Rooney told BT Sport: "Today was a big game for us after midweek. We had to respond and it was difficult. We had a slow start, going behind, but we came through it and got the win and deserved it. It was a good win for us.
"We know the support the manager has got from the players and from the fans and that's what matters. The support he got from the fans was incredible again today.''
United's attention now turns to the Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday, a match Rooney is looking forward to. He said: "It's a massive game, the quarterfinals of the Champions League against the champions. It's going to be a good game and hopefully we'll get a good result.''