David Moyes has insisted that the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson at matches is not harming Manchester United amid their woeful run of form.

Moyes's predecessor, along with Sir Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson, watched from the stands at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday as United lost their third game in a row in 2014 following a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final.

Asked if their presence was an added pressure, Moyes told reporters: "Not at all.

"Alex is a great sounding-board for me. He is there to help, so is Sir Bobby. He is terrific. Bryan Robson is at the training ground regularly, I speak to him regularly.

"I find the three of them terrific."

The defeat marked the first time United have lost three straight games for 13 years.