Mata insists Moyes had the 'impossible' task of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson

Juan Mata has admitted that he felt sorry for David Moyes after he tasked with the 'impossible' job of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.

The former Everton boss was handed a mammoth six-year contract following the news that Ferguson would step down from his role after 27 trophy-laden years at Old Trafford.

However, after a difficult start, Moyes was shown the exit just 10 months in to his reign as Reds boss.

'It certainly had to be difficult to replace a figure like Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in football's history. It was impossible, in fact,' he reveals in his new book Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer, as serialised by the Mirror.

'After some more disappointing games, the club decided to part with Moyes and chose Ryan Giggs to look after the first team until the end of the season. The Moyes era had been much, much shorter than expected.

'Just like André Villas-Boas at Chelsea, he tried his best, as he is a committed and dedicated manager, but we were just not performing well and results were not good enough.

'Even at his farewell, he showed integrity and said goodbye to us in a very classy way, shaking all our hands and looking us all in the eye, wishing us good luck for the future.

'Again, I felt sorry for the man who was leaving, feeling partly responsible as every player does when a decision like this is made.'

Mata was Moyes' second signing at United, who paid Chelsea £37.1million for the Spaniard.

Since then, Mata has gone on to play for three different managers at United, winning FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and Europa League with the Red Devils.