Manchester United manager David Moyes (right) reacts as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers watches during their English Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday. United lost 1-0. (Reuters)
Despite defeat by Liverpool and an injury to Wayne Rooney, Manchester United manager David Moyes says he has been pleased by his team’s performances in his first three league games.
The new United manager, faced with the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of Alex Ferguson, saw United lose 1-0 at Liverpool thanks to an early goal from Daniel Sturridge at Anfield on Sunday.
It left United with four points from their opening three games, following a 4-1 victory at Swansea City on the opening day and a stale goalless draw at home to Chelsea last week.
But Moyes remains upbeat, despite the pending absence of Rooney, who missed the game after suffering a cut to his head in a training-ground collision with Phil Jones.
“I always knew it was going to be tough,” said Moyes of his new club’s start to the campaign. “It would have been a tough ask, no matter if Sir Alex had been sitting here, to play these games.”
“No doubt, this is a big fixture for both clubs, like Chelsea was a big fixture. I actually think we have come out of the three games and shown we are in good shape,” he added.
Rooney’s injury would appear to rule him out of not only England’s forthcoming World Cup qualifying games with Moldova and Ukraine, but also United’s next league fixture with Crystal Palace and their Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen on September 17.
Moyes can only hope that Rooney is available for selection in time for the Manchester derby visit to the Etihad Stadium, where they take on Manchester City on September 22.
“Wayne is bad. The cut is in the middle of his forehead and will take a wee while to heal,” Moyes said. “He turned around and it was a boot by Phil Jones caught him down the forehead. He will be out three weeks, I expect.”