It was always going to be tough to directly replace the great Sir Alex Ferguson, however compatriot David Moyes simply failed to meet expectations at Manchester United.

In a dismal 2013-14 campaign, the defending English champions finished seventh in the Premier League (lowest ever position) on 64 points and had just the Community Shield to show for their efforts.

Moyes’ time at Old Trafford was all the more disappointing when you consider that he was handpicked by Ferguson to be his successor.

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Current captain Wayne Rooney top scored with an impressive 19 goals, but Moyes was sacked after less than ten months, with Ryan Giggs overseeing the final few games of the season.

Many feel that United’s board didn’t back Moyes in the transfer market, so we’ve decided to take a look at the four players he spent over £67 million on and where they’ve ended up.

1. Guillermo Varela

The Scot’s first ever signing as Man Utd boss was right-back Guillermo Varela for around £2 million in June 2013 from Penarol.

It wasn’t until last term that the Uruguayan made his senior United debut and he got a prolonged run in the side due to a defensive injury crisis, featuring 11 times in total under Louis van Gaal.

Jose Mourinho loaned him out to German club Eintracht Frankfurt for the 2016-17 campaign, but a serious ankle ligament injury sustained back in September has limited him to just five appearances.

2. Marouane Fellaini

Having worked with him for five years at Everton, Moyes brought in Marouane Fellaini on the last day of the 2013 summer window for a hefty £27.5 million.

Now 29, he’s never been a permanent fixture in United’s starting XI, but his height makes him a huge weapon in both boxes and his physicality does give Mourinho’s men something different in midfield.

In his Man Utd career so far, the Belgian has played 120 matches and scored 14 goals, including last year’s FA Cup semi-final opener against former club Everton.

3. Saidy Janko

The current Sunderland manager’s worst signing in charge of the Red Devils has surely turned out to be £700,000 Swiss youngster Saidy Janko.

Like Fellaini, the versatile star joined on summer transfer deadline day in 2013 from FC Zurich, but only made one first-team appearance – Van Gaal’s 4-0 humiliation at MK Dons.

During his time at United, Janko spent a spell at Bolton Wanderers and, after leaving for Celtic in July 2015, the 21-year-old now plies his trade at Barnsley on a one-year loan from the Scottish champions.

4. Juan Mata

Last but certainly not least, knowing his long-term future was in serious doubt, Moyes used the January 2014 window to acquire Juan Mata for £37.1 million.

The classy Spanish star was a fan favourite at rivals Chelsea and won their Player of the Year award twice in as many years, but he’d fallen out of favour with Mourinho.

Mata registered six goals and four assists for United in the rest of that season and the attacking midfield maestro remains an integral part of the squad today.

Overall, the 28-year-old’s scored 36 goals in 142 games for the club, popping up with some vital strikes - from the 2016 FA Cup final equaliser to his exceptional bicycle kick at Anfield.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (26) is the only United player who can better his tally of ten goals this season, and we can all agree that Mata has been one of United’s most creative, productive and consistent performers in the post-Sir Alex era.

What do YOU make of Moyes' signings at Man Utd? Should he have bought any different type of player? Leave YOUR thoughts in the comments box below!