David Moyes believes a Champions League comeback against Olympiakos tonight would give Manchester United the perfect platform for a strong finish to the campaign.
Moyes’s wretched first season as United manager hit another low on Sunday as they were outclassed by Liverpool, losing 3-0 at Old Trafford when it could easily have been more.
That limp display came less than three weeks after another shocking performance when they were beaten 2-0 in Athens in the first leg of their last-16 tie. Only five teams have overcome a deficit of two goals or more in the 22 years of the Champions League and Moyes says joining that elite group would have major benefits for the rest of the season.
“If we can go through it would be a massive lift for us,” said the United manager. “We know we have got ourselves in a poor position being 2-0 down but we have a lot of belief and we have to make it show in the game.”
The loss to Liverpool was United’s ninth of the season and left them 12 points off fourth-placed Manchester City, having played two games more than their neighbours.
It means United are almost certain to miss out on Champions League football next season for the first time since 1995.
However, at the pre-match press conference, Moyes dismissed suggestions he is losing the backing of the United hierarchy and said he had received words of encouragement from leading figures on the board, including predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.
“He has been incredibly supportive,” said Moyes. “I speak with him regularly and I see him at the games. I always have a few minutes with him. He is very supportive.
“He told me before I came in it was a difficult job but he is always here to help.
“Him, [director] David Gill, [vice‑chairman] Ed Woodward, all the board are very supportive.”
Olympiakos boss Michel spared a thought for his counterpart as he plotted his downfall.
“David is suffering and I don’t like to see any manager suffering — I have sympathy for him,” said the former Real Madrid midfielder.
“It’s a big opportunity to knock United out of the competition but David Moyes is not an enemy.”
