'Disappointed we didn't do more business' - Moyes warns Everton must cope with small squad

The Everton manager was disappointed by the club's failure to bring in more players, while several departures left him with limited options ahead of Sunday's meeting with Manchester United.

Moyes said Everton had planned to strengthen but were unable to complete all of their deals.

"Disappointed we didn't do more business and disappointed things didn't go our way in the end," Moyes said.

"Sometimes in football you have to live with disappointment, and we will move on."

The manager also admitted Everton did not want to lose several players during the window, including Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye, but accepted that bigger clubs can make it difficult to keep their best players.

"Ultimately, we didn't want to lose a lot of the players, but for different reasons that had to happen," Moyes said.

Everton also saw a late move for United States striker Folarin Balogun collapse after concerns were raised during his medical.

Moyes insisted there was no controversy surrounding the failed transfer.

"It wasn't anybody's fault. It happens in football a lot," he said.

"The player had a problem in his medical, and that was simply it. There's no other story behind it."

With the squad now short on numbers, Moyes knows he may have to turn to Everton's academy players during the season.

However, the experienced manager admitted he is unsure whether some of the youngsters are ready for regular Premier League football.

"Are they ready to make the step up? I'm not sure about that," Moyes said. "We will see how that goes; some of them might be pushed in."

Moyes believes the situation could nevertheless provide an opportunity for young players to make their mark.

"They're all going to have to be able to muck in as we've got a real small squad now," he added.

"It gives opportunities to some people who have not had them, and sometimes in football you need to be given that chance so that you can show what you can do."

Everton now turn their attention to Manchester United, with Moyes facing an early test of how well his reduced squad can cope with the demands of the Premier League.

The two clubs meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.