Three of Manchester United’s title-winning back four are likely to be victims of a David Moyes purge at Old Trafford.

The champions are in crisis after losing their third game in a week at Sunderland on Tuesday night and Moyes wants to unload several unwanted and unhappy players in an attempt to turn around the club’s fortunes in the summer.

Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra could all leave with Javier Hernandez, Nani, Anderson, Alex Buttner and Anders Lindegaard likely to join them. 

Plenty to ponder: David Moyes is planning a clear-out after a disastrous start to his United reign

There is also continuing anxiety about Wayne Rooney’s refusal to sign a new contract and Robin van Persie’s lack of form under the new manager. 

United are on their worst run of form since 1992 and Moyes’ bad week was compounded when the FA confirmed they were investigating his comments about referees after the Sunderland game. 

The United’s manager said his side were ‘playing referees as well as the opposition’, an accusation that could land him a charge and fine. 

The FA are also looking into how fans managed to set off several flares during the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg at the Stadium of Light.

Sequence: United were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the Capital One Cup, their third straight defeat

 

Lean spell: Nemanja Vidic is one big name who could be leaving United in the summer

 

After Fabio Borini's penalty consigned United to another defeat, Moyes said: 'After the first 15 minutes I thought we were very good. We defended a terrible free-kick, but how the referee has given a free-kick for that is way beyond me. 

'I just cannot see how that is a free-kick. 'And the penalty? We had a player booked for that theother day against Tottenham. The referee is in a great position to look at it, down the line, 15 yards, and the linesman gives it from behind and he cannot see through Patrice Evra. 

‘That is what we’re finding at the moment. The performance was good without having the last bit.

Exit: Rio Ferdinand could be on his way out of Manchester United at the end of the season

Leave: Patrice Evra has also been linked with a move away from Manchester United this summer

‘I have experience and I can sense it’s on the verge of turning. I sense we’re about to get a bit better.’

Moyes added: ‘This hasn’t happened at Man United for a long time. I thought the support were great for sticking with their club, sticking with their manager and that is exactly what you need when you are not doing so well.

‘We need a couple of fair decisions. We had a couple of penalty kicks against Tottenham and we have one given against us tonight for that. My goodness, give me strength.’

In trouble: Manchester United fans set off flares in the away end at the Stadium of Light