Moyes writes open letter to fans

So it's come to this.

Season ticket holders will have recently received a letter from David Moyes, in which addresses the fact of United's poor form and restates his faith in, er, himself. The full screed can be read over at the Mirror, but here are the choicest excerpts.

While I knew that this job would be a challenge when I took it on, the difficult season we have experienced was not something that I envisaged, which I am sure is the case as well for you supporters - and my players, staff and I am desperate to compensate for that.

Away from home the travelling fans have remained the best in the country, while at Old Trafford your unwavering faith has been noticeable and hugely welcomed. Supporting your team when they are winning is easy, but much harder when things are not going as well, and the loyalty you have shown us has been magnificent.

Over the years you have seen great winning sides here and, in time, I have absolutely no doubt that we will see great winning sides here again. A big step towards that will be transforming Old Trafford back into the fortress it has long been renowned as, and we will do everything in our power to get the positive performances and results to do that, so that we can give you season ticket holders and all of our supporters something to shout about.

He's right, of course; United's fanbase has been remarkably patient; a patience born, perhaps, from the sense that not everything going wrong can be laid at the feet of the manager. And on the one hand, it's good to see him acknowledge that things aren't going well.

On the other, as a form of communication the open letter is marginally more embarrassing than standing outside somebody's window with a portable stereo singing "Back For Good". Though given Old Trafford's capacity, that option might not have been practical.