Moyes makes way at Manchester United

Manchester United FC have parted company with David Moyes less than 12 months after the 50-year-old succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as manager. Ryan Giggs, a one-club man who has played for United since March 1991, has taken over on an interim basis.

Sir Alex retired last summer after more than 26 years in charge, with Moyes leaving Everton FC to replace him at the helm, officially taking over on 1 July. United, however, have been unable to recapture their form of last season – which ended with a 20th league title – and sit seventh in the Premier League, 23 points behind leaders Liverpool FC.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role," read a statement on United's official website. A subsequent post confirmed that Giggs "will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made".

Moyes took United to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they lost 4-2 on aggregate to holders FC Bayern München. Following Sunday's 2-0 loss at Moyes' former club Everton, the three-time European champions will miss out on next season's competition for the first time since 1995/96. United did reach the semi-finals of the English League Cup under Moyes, but were beaten on penalties at home by Sunderland AFC. They also lost 2-1 at home to Swansea City AFC in the FA Cup third round.

Giggs, whose 151 UEFA Champions League appearances is more than any other player, has featured in more than 1,000 fixtures for United. The most-decorated player in the club's history, the former Welsh international has won 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League crowns. Voted by United supporters as the club's greatest of all time in January 2011, Giggs continued his playing duties this season, as well as being appointed as an assistant to Moyes.