Exclusive – Royle: Wenger and Mourinho would have struggled with Man United’s squad

Joe Royle has told talkSPORT even if Arsene Wenger or Jose Mourinho had inherited Manchester United's squad, they would have encountered the same problems David Moyes has struggled with this season.

Life hasn't been easy for the new Red Devils boss since he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson last summer, and, following the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, United sit seventh in the Premier League, 14 points off leaders Arsenal.

But Royle, who managed bitter rivals Manchester City for three years, says Moyes should be afforded at least until the end of the next season before he is judged.

"I still think it was one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest achievements winning the championship last year with this team," he told Hawksbee and Jacobs.

"When you look at it and you analyse it, they had two late players in their late 30s or early 40s in [Paul] Scholes and [Ryan] Giggs. They had to bring back Scholes to win it.

"When you look at one or two others currently around the side, they are playing too often and shouldn’t really be Manchester United players in my opinion.

"David Moyes will know at the end of this season what he needs. I’m sure there will be, I wouldn’t say a major clear out, but there will certainly be a cull at Manchester United.

"So judge David Moyes at the end of next season. Whoever went in there, whether it be [Jose] Mourinho or [Arsene] Wenger, would have had the same problems that David Moyes is encountering now."