MANCHESTER, England -- David Moyes' tenure as Manchester United manager could be coming to an end after less than a year in charge.
According to widespread reports released at the same time on websites of numerous British newspapers, Moyes is set to be fired by United and could be forced out before the end of the season.
The club was not officially commenting Monday on the speculation, but leading British bookmakers all slashed their odds on Moyes getting fired.
United is currently seventh in the Premier League, with Sunday's 2-0 loss at Everton ensuring that the club will miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 19 years.
Moyes was hand-picked by Alex Ferguson, who ended his 27-year reign as United manager at the end of last season, and given a six-year deal at Old Trafford last May in the hope he could create another dynasty at a club that preaches the values of stability.
He guided United to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, losing to Bayern Munich, but the team's domestic form has been woeful by its high standards.
Having won the league title by 11 points last season, United is 23 points behind current leader Liverpool, 13 adrift of the Champions League places and has slumped to a string of humiliating losses including to fierce rivals Liverpool and Manchester City at home.
United has been defeated a club-record 11 times in the league and 10 times in 22 matches in all competitions in 2014, and is on course for its lowest league finish since 1990.
United appears ready to spend considerable sums over the summer to strengthen its squad but may not be willing to trust Moyes to oversee such heavy spending.
He was indecisive last off-season, only bringing in Marouane Fellaini from former club Everton for 27.5 million pounds ($43 million) on the last day of the transfer window, and the Belgian has been a disappointment. United broke its club-record transfer fee to sign Juan Mata for 37.1 million pounds ($61.2 million) in January but Moyes has been unable to regularly play the Spain playmaker in his best position.
British newspapers are reporting that Ryan Giggs, a club great who is now on the coaching staff, could be Moyes' temporary replacement while Dutch coach Louis van Gaal and Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp have been linked with any possible vacancy.
With fan backing appearing to ebb away, Moyes said after the loss to Everton that United was "on track" in its transition period post-Ferguson.
"We are rebuilding," he said, "we have got things we want to do.
"The supporters have been incredibly behind the team and supported the team throughout. They realize it has been a difficult season ... They understand it has not been good, I recognize it has not been good, it needs to be better."
