Former Manchester United defender Viv Anderson has admitted that he is appalled with the manner in which David Moyes was sacked by the club.

Reports leaked last Monday that the Scot was to be removed as United's manager following their 2-0 defeat to Everton, but confirmation of his departure was not announced until Tuesday.

Anderson is quoted as saying by The Mirror: "This is what I've got to say about the sacking: Ridiculous! Totally ridiculous!! And this is what I've got to say about the way it was done, with leaks to the press before Moyes had been informed: Appalling! Utterly appalling!!

"I think the Glazers reacted on impulse after the Everton defeat. It wasn't thought through - you can see that by the fact that no-one was lined up to take the job.

"I really thought they would stick with him and give him another season. But from a club that stuck by its decisions on appointments, even when the going got rough, they are now just as short-termish as most of the rest, with one or two honourable exceptions."

Ryan Giggs was placed in interim charge of the Red Devils and guided them to a 4-0 win over Norwich City in his first game as manager.