Rio Ferdinand revealed David Moyes struggled to cope with the commercial aspects of his Manchester United management role after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson.
Moyes' struggles after being chosen as Ferguson's Old Trafford successor have been well documented, with the Scot sacked in April — less than 12 months into a six-year contract.
Speaking to the Oxford Union , Ferdinand — who played under both managers — pinpointed where Moyes went wrong after replacing Ferguson. United recorded their lowest ever Premier League finish of seventh under the former Everton boss.
"When David Moyes came was a big time for me to be able to look at different leaders and how they work and react in different situations," said Ferdinand. "It wasn't until Sir Alex Ferguson left that you can really judge those things
"When Moyes came in, you were left weighing it up: who's doing it best? I think delegating was one of the biggest differences. Sir Alex allowed people to work in their area in the club he was running.
"At Manchester United , the commercial department is like a juggernaut. The training area turns into a media compound for the day, for five or six hours after training. (Sir Alex) didn't have a part in that. But when David Moyes came in, he took all of that on. He took on the commercial responsibilities and I remember on tour he said 'this is unbelievable, this'.
"That was one of David Moyes' biggest mistakes and I'm sure he'd be one of the first to hold his hands up to that.
"I don't blame him for it, because it's difficult to come into a place like Manchester United and deal with that, but that's where I saw the strength of Sir Alex."
the change in the United boardroom as another reason why Moyes struggled.
Both Ferguson and United chief executive David Gill left the club at the same time, with Moyes and Ed Woodward tasked with taking the club forward on and off the pitch.
"One of the big problems for David Moyes, which I think anyone would have struggled with, wasn't just filling Sir Alex's shoes, he had to (replace) a CEO David Gill as well. Two huge figures at the club just gone. A new manager and a new CEO comes in and they've got to form a relationship as well as maintaining success, which is a huge ask.
"It wasn't a poisoned chalice, but a difficult place to come into. I don't think David Moyes realised the enormity of the place."
