In his candid quarterly address to Manchester United fans in the club's magazine, manager David Moyes wrote that he had not expected the job of succeeding Alex Ferguson to be quite as difficult as this EPL season has proven. He also exhorted the fans to continue their support, and vowed to turn things around and return the Red Devils to the top of the table soon.

Here's a reply from an ardent Man United fan, ST sports journalist Sanjay Nair:

Dear Boss,

Thank you for taking the time out of scouring Europe for unsuspecting young talent to write to us - the depressed, disillusioned and divided Manchester United fan.

While we knew this would be a challenging job, we expected you to do more challenging - for trophies that is. Community Shield doesn't count, although it is still bigger than anything you've won as a manager.

Instead, we're out of the title race by March - a time when we're used to wondering how many trophies we'd win and not if we can make Europe.

Yet, I must admit your letter was a nice touch. Your compliments of our "unwavering faith" and "magnificent" loyalty make us blush - almost in the same shade of pink as your players whenever they take to the field with you.

Pardon my bluntness but, Great Scot, what have you done to Alex Ferguson's team? How you have escaped scot-free so far is perhaps your crowning achievement this season.

We are not even worthy of being mentioned as a chihuahua, let alone a horse, in the EPL title race. Donkey, more likely.

You have managed to ground the Flying Dutchman, who looks unhappier than his final days at Arsenal. And we know hair treatment is expensive, but is Wayne Rooney really worth 300,000 pounds a week?

Be honest with us - have you lost the dressing room?

Your captain proudly announces his move to Inter at a crucial stage of the season. Had he tried that during your predecessor's time, he would have been banned from the club that very day. There's a reason why Roy Keane is grumpy to this very day.

The Manchester United manager always had absolute power. We do feel sorry for you, like when you celebrated a goal against Fulham as if you won the Champions League (pardon the unrealistic analogy).

We even anointed you as the Chosen One. Instead, you are the only one who chooses Ashley Young. The Special One mocks us, gladly selling one of his best players to us.

Everywhere we turn people outside the club have a lot to say about you but we have all stuck together - until Olympiakos.

You tease us with flattering transfer targets - from Fabregas to Kroos, Gundogan to Cavani. Yet we see the ball being passed from Cleverley to Valencia.

We share your sentiment that United will have a "great winning side" once again. Whether you are in the dugout then, my friend, is as uncertain as Nani's next performance.

Maybe you were only good for Goodison Park, and just not old enough for Old Trafford.

Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to spur your demoralised side towards the "positive performances and results" you crave.

As you say, give us something to shout about, and not shout at you.

Yours truly

A lifelong Man United die-hard fan

Sanjay Nair