David Moyes: Manchester United Manager May Have Saved His Job With UEFA Win Over Olympiakos

David Moyes appeared on his way out as manager of Manchester United, but a surprise win over Olympiakos and a trip to the round of eight in the UEFA Champions League may have changed that.

The embattled manager has endured an extended slump with his team, including a 2-0 loss to Olympiakos in the first leg of the UEFA round of 16. His team went into Wednesday’s game needing a victory by two goals or more, and they got it with a 3-0 victory.

It was likely a big boost for Moyes’ job status. Though the Manchester United board had promised it would show patience with Moyes when he was appointed, many thought that patience was running thin.

Afte the win over Olympiakos, Moyes stuck by the same stance he’s had throughout the disappointing stretch — that he isn’t going anywhere.

My future has not changed one bit,” he said. “I have got a great job, I know exactly the direction I want it to go in. It’s not been the season we hoped we would have but I have ideas of what I want to do and put in place when the time is right.”

The win may have only bought the manager a bit of time, and Sports Illustrated writer Jonathan Wilson thinks David Moyes isn’t in the clear just yet.

“It would be misleading, though, to suggest all is well,” he wrote. “Olympiakos had chances. David De Gea made a stunning double save in the first half, blocking David Fuster’s header and then scrambling to his feet and kicking away Chori Dominguez’s follow up. Enzo Perez put header after header wide. After going 3-0 up, United sat back but never quite stifled the game, leaving themselves vulnerable to the away goal. But at least it was a win, and one that means that United still has a chance — however academic that may feel — of winning a trophy this season.”

While his future with Manchester United may not be entirely clear, David Moyes certainly helped his cause with the UEFA win. A championship would go much further.