David Moyes speaks on his time at United and their key players this year
Ex-Everton and Manchester United boss, David Moyes, has spoken about his time at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney’s move and the Red Devils' star signings - Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku.
Moyes, who was named as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor at United in May 2013, had a testing time at Old Trafford, but denies that he looks back at his tenure as boss with frustration.
"No, I don't think that at all. I don't look back at any frustrations, I look back knowing that we were in for big players and it's well documented you know," he told ESPN.
“I wanted Gareth Bale, we went to Cesc Fabregas at Manchester United at that time, we didn't get them and that does happen because one was at Barcelona, one was still at Tottenham deciding whether to go to Real Madrid or not.
“But I do look at Manchester United from that period and it was notable that they did need changes, they did need rebuilding, they needed...not completely a new squad, because they were the champions when I took over.
“Alex had done a great job in making them champions so there was a need for new players and there were players coming to the end of their time, but overall it was always going to be a slow process, it could never be something where you could just change things with one swoop right away.”
Moyes, who was Everton manager until his move to Manchester United, spoke positively of ex-United captain Rooney’s move back to his boyhood club, where he broke into the first team as a 16-year-old in 2002 under Moyes.
“I think it's a really good move for Everton. I think even at the end of Wayne's time at Manchester United he was still scoring goals so the one thing Wayne is, he's a brilliant finisher, a natural finisher.
“He'll have to play differently now than he's done in the past, but I think it's a big thing for Everton as well. It shows that they're in business, they want to challenge the top teams and even if they get a good year out of Wayne, I think it's a good move to get Wayne back and I do think Wayne will score goals.
“I think it's the one thing he can do as well as anyone in the country as his goal scoring record proves, he's got as good a goal scoring as anybody, if not better than everybody. So, I hope he does it for Everton and I think this year, I think it's a good move for Everton.”
Rooney is 2/1 to be the Toffees top goal scorer with Sky Bet in his first season back at the club.
The ex-United boss then commented on the Manchester club’s biggest summer signing, Romelu Lukaku, who transferred from Moyes’ former club, Everton, in a deal worth around £90 million this summer.
“Well I think in the past the strikers Manchester United have had have not necessarily been of that type.
“I think there's been a different type of centre forward, strikers who link to play, strikers who were involved in the build-up.
“I don't know if Lukaku is there for that, I think Lukaku is there to get on the end of crosses and run in behind, which Manchester United will enjoy, they always like strikers who are willing to run in behind and I do think that Lukaku's record, his stature, you might see Manchester United playing a little bit differently.
“If you go back through history, Manchester United played with wingers, always had wide players, always crossed the ball in the box, and to be fair I think if Lukaku gets enough service I think he'll score enough goals.”
Lukaku is 2/7 to be the top goal scorer at United this season, and is 7/2 to be the league top scorer at Sky Bet.
As United manager, David Moyes brought in Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini with him from Everton. Fellaini, who has now made 89 appearances for the Reds, remains a useful member of Mourinho’s squad, with Moyes stating that he is now ‘vital’ to Manchester United.
"Well, bringing Marouane Fellaini was part of what I hoped he would come to United and play in different games.
“He was never someone who was going to play in all the games at United. He was someone that was there, his size is a problem to the opposition, it's also something which helps you, Manchester United you've seen many times now have used him a more advanced role.
“I used to get criticism at Everton because we played him there, he's got brilliant chest control, taking it down with his chest, he's as good as anyone in the world actually and he's a good footballer, but he was never somebody who was going to come and play every single game.
“As you rightly said, if you look at the games that he played under Louis van Gaal and now under Jose Mourinho, he's vital. He's a modern day footballer, he covers a lot of ground, he's a decent passer without being a great passer, he can get you some goals, he helps you out in both boxes with his stature and he was something which we didn't have at Manchester United and he was a player who was brought in to add to the squad.”
Manchester United’s record signing, Paul Pogba, broke the transfer record when he signed for the Reds last season in a deal worth around £89 million. The then-record transfer signing had a slightly underwhelming first season at Old Trafford, receiving heavy criticism, and Moyes states that the Frenchman may not be the game-changer that United fans were hoping to see.
“I think he's a top player, I don't know if he's a player who completely makes a difference for Manchester United. I think that over the years Manchester United have had players like Cantona, even Ryan Giggs, people who are special players.
“I don't know if Pogba's that, I think he's a good player, I think he'll add to Manchester United, but will he make the difference? Is he someone who will score the goal at really important stages in games or make the key pass? I'm not sure about that.
“But I do think that the machine that Manchester United are now, the size, the players they've got, you know they've got a massive stature to their team, I think Pogba adds to that. And I do think he's a good player, but I'm not quite sure if he'll make the difference in key games."
After last season’s Europa League victory, and with the return of the Champions League to Old Trafford, United will be hoping to build on from last years 6th place finish. Manchester United are 2/7 for a top four finish this season at Sky Bet, and are 7/2 to win the title.
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