David Moyes insists he was unfairly treated at Manchester United as he begins his new role at Sunderland.

The Scot was sacked less than a season into a six-year contract after succeeding Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with United finishing that 2013-14 campaign seventh in the Premier League.

He also struggled at Spanish side Real Sociedad – but saw United make only limited improvements under his successor Louis van Gaal, finishing fourth and then fifth before the Dutchman gave way to Jose Mourinho this summer.

Moyes maintains he was the right man for the job, having led Everton from the lower reaches of the Premier League into European contention.

“You don’t get offered those big jobs – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United – for no reason,” he said.

“I’ve said all along I was unfairly treated there. When you sign a six-year contract and you end up with only 10 months... yeah, really I believe I was.

“I didn’t win enough football matches but you must say there were mitigating circumstances. And I think you could say there are maybe things which have gone on since then that would actually justify that even more.

“What my time at Manchester United gave me is an unbelievable idea of what it is at the top.

“I believe that’s where I can work and that’s where I should be working.”

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