David Moyes Facing Worst Fears at Manchester United as Everton, Liverpool Rise

If David Moyes had a moment of self-doubt in the months after he was appointed Manchester United manager, he might have thought about the worst that could happen.

After all, he was inheriting the champions of England and access to a considerable pot of spending money. What could possibly go wrong?

"Well, it'll be quite difficult to win the league," he might have thought. "Manchester City are pretty good and that Jose is all right.

"They reckon that Champions League is hard to win, too. Thinking about it, I might not win a trophy at all. Even that little one with the three handles."

But that's it, right? 

A top-four finish should be pretty safe. United haven't finished lower than third since 1991. And there was no chance, say, Liverpool might win the league? No, of course not. Don't be ridiculous. They finished seventh last season.

Jon Super

And what of Everton, the club Moyes left behind? They wouldn't...they couldn't finish higher than United, could they? No, probably not. Roberto Martinez got Wigan relegated last season.

Wrong. Wrong. And wrong again.

This weekend will highlight just how far United have fallen this season and lay bare everything that has gone wrong for Moyes.

On Sunday, United play Everton at Goodison Park, where he will in all likelihood get a poor reception. 

Sang Tan

The Everton fans are still upset their former manager tried to pinch their best players on the cheap last summer. Most are happier with Martinez in charge.

The likeable, charismatic Spaniard is helping Moyes' old team team challenge for a place in the Champions League—probably at United's expense.

In just one season, he has managed to do what Moyes couldn't in 11 by winning at one of the big grounds. That was achieved in December at Old Trafford—also at United's expense.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Sunday will also see Liverpool visit Norwich with the chance to take another step towards a first title in 24 years. Sir Alex Ferguson had only just knocked them off their perch and they're already clambering back up.

Whoever wins the league, there are United fans who will never forgive Moyes for forcing them to ask the question, "City or Liverpool?"

United have little to play for in the remaining five games of the season, but in the spirit of this most unfortunate of seasons, it would be foolish not to look at what else can go wrong.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

United could lose at Goodison Park on Sunday, while the Everton fans delight in Moyes' downfall from the stands. They were already singing "You're getting sacked in the morning" at Old Trafford.

United might not qualify for Europe at all. Everton, under Martinez, could finish fourth. Liverpool could win the league.

The way this season has gone for Moyes, you wouldn't bet against any of it.