Considering where his career’s at now, it’s hard to get your head around the fact Manchester United appointed David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor. David Moyes!

Ferguson recommended United hire Moyes because, in his opinion, the Scot would continue to provide stability at Old Trafford. “Cut from the same cloth,” was a phrase you’d often hear back in May 2013.

Moyes had been at Everton for 11 years and although he’d failed to win a single trophy during that time, he had turned the Toffees into a tough unit that were difficult to beat, particularly at Goodison Park.

Moyes had also won the LMA Manager of the Year award three times. Only Ferguson has won the prestigious individual accolade on more occasions.

The 53-year-old, who is about to be relegated with Sunderland, often had the look of a rabbit caught in the headlights during his ill-fated 10-month tenure at Old Trafford.

But who knows what might have happened had Ed Woodward, the club’s newly-appointed executive vice-chairman, been able to deliver the players Moyes had demanded.

Fergie’s successor later revealed that he thought United would sign Toni Kroos and Cesc Fabregas ahead of the start of the 2013-14 campaign. Instead, he ended up with £27.5 million Marouane Fellaini on the final day of the summer transfer window.

Things might have been different for Moyes had Rooney left

Things might have been different had Wayne Rooney left the club.

At one point, it looked almost certain that Rooney would leave United for Chelsea. The player was unhappy at United and Jose Mourinho was keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Losing Rooney really would have forced Woodward to deliver a high-profile signing.

Rooney, however, ended up staying at United and Moyes, who absolutely loved the forward, handed him a new five-and-a-half-year contract worth a staggering £300,000-a-week in February 2014.

In hindsight, it was a pretty ludicrous decision. Rooney already looked well past his best by that point.

Indeed, Moyes himself, when he first arrived at Old Trafford, asked Rooney a rather awkward question about his motivation and ability.

The first question Moyes asked Rooney in 2013

According to the Guardian’s Daniel Taylor, the first question Moyes asked Rooney was: “Do you still think you’re a top player?”

The question was, according to Taylor, designed to “get under his skin.”

Rooney insisted he did.

“Then why are Chelsea offering only £25m for you?” came the response from Moyes.

It was a fair question to ask

As Taylor points out, given United were about to spend £2.5 million more on Fellaini, it was a fair question to ask.

Roberto Soldado cost Tottenham more money that summer.

In fairness to Rooney, he went on to score 19 goals that season.

But three years after signing that bumper contract and the Red Devils appear increasingly desperate to get him off the wage bill.