David Moyes still right boss for Manchester United - Gus Poyet
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet believes David Moyes is "still the right man" for Manchester United - but says he needs time to get things right.
The Black Cats host United in Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg.
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“
It is probably the most difficult time they have had in 15 years. If there's any time to play them, it's probably now
”
Adam Johnson
Moyes has had a difficult first season in charge with his team seventh in the Premier League and knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Swansea.
Poyet said: "He needs time and I hope he gets it to prove he was and is still the right man for Manchester United."
Moyes, whose side are 11 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, has come in for criticism after the Swans became the fifth visiting side to win at Old Trafford this season, with West Brom, Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham having previously done so.
The Sunderland manager continued: "It's difficult to feel it (the pressure Moyes is under), but you can see it and I don't think it's nice, I don't.
"But I am sure that David first is strong enough and good enough to do the job, and secondly, everybody knew that after Alex Ferguson, it would be very difficult, very difficult."
Yet Adam Johnson believes United's current problems could work to the Black Cats' advantage.
Sunderland's former Manchester City winger said: "Hopefully we can try to catch them when it is probably the most difficult time they have had in 15 years.
Moyes' defeats this season
0-1 Liverpool (A) Premier League)
1-4 Manchester City (A) Premier League)
1-2 West Brom (H) Premier League)
0-1 Everton (H) Premier League)
0-1 Newcastle (H) Premier League)
1-2 Tottenham (H) Premier League)
1-2 Swansea (H) FA Cup)
"If there's any time to play them, it's probably now, so we can try to make the most of that.
"But they are still a top-quality team with top quality players and the key is to go to Old Trafford not down."
Poyet, meanwhile, has urged his bottom-of-the-table side to put a "nightmare" season to one side and relish the opportunity to reach a final.
The 46-year-old, who will be able to call on fit-again defender John O'Shea to face his former club, said: "It's the nice part, the nicest. It's nice to come here and talk about a semi-final and not talk about points and relegation.
"I would like to say it's the nicest part of the season because the rest has been a nightmare with the position in the table, so let's try to enjoy this one and go on and do something important for the club."