BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhuanet) -- David Moyes' short-lived reign at Manchester United is over.

Overwhelmed by the giant task of replacing Alex Ferguson, Britain's greatest ever manager, Moyes was fired by United on Tuesday, after exhausting the patience and losing the support of the club's American owners, the Glazer family.

The 50-year-old Scot was less than a season into a sixyear contract but the Glazers had seen enough. As the team languished in seventh place in the Premier League and guaranteed to miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 19 years, there was only going to be one outcome of Moyes.

Ryan Giggs, a club great who was on Moyes' coaching staff and is still a member of the playing squad at the age of 40, will take temporary control until a permanent replacement is found.

The 40-year-old Welsh midfielder, who came up through the United youth ranks alongside David Beckham, has spent 23 years at Old Trafford. He has won every trophy in the game at club level, making him United's most decorated player.