Erik ten Hag elaborates on his admiration for West Ham United boss David Moyes
Ahead of the game against West Ham United, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has shared his great admiration for David Moyes who was brave enough to take the United job immediately after Sir Alex Ferguson left.
When Sir Alex left, Moyes took over the job at Old Trafford. Things did not go to plan and he was sacked before the end of his season there. Ryan Giggs worked as an interim before Louis van Gaal was appointed in the summer of 2014.
But, looking back at that period, not many managers would have been successful in succeeding the work Ferguson did. Moreover, the squad Moyes had to work with was a shadow of its former self.
All in all, he was here for 10 months after being appointed in the summer of 2013. We were utterly disappointing during that spell and were seventh at the time of his sacking. It didn’t help for Moyes that the Red Devils had won the league in the previous season.
Admiring his bravery and more, here’s ten Hag talking about the current West Ham boss (h/t Manchester Evening News):
“It is hypothetical, so you never know, but it is quite clear that when you have to succeed Sir Alex, that is a big challenge and a really difficult job to do.
“He [Moyes] did it and had the bravery to do it, that is why I admire him. He is also that long in the job already with many clubs in the Premier League. He is a great manager with a lot of skills. I know my team has to be at their best on Sunday, and we have to play our maximum if we want to get the result we need, which is a win.”
Following the sack at United, Moyes’ CV must have taken a massive jolt after the good work he did at Everton. After underwhelming spells at Sunderland and Real Sociedad, the Scotsman seems to have got his mojo back during his second spell at West Ham.
Although the Hammers have not been in great form in the league, they are in a European semi-final in consecutive seasons and are almost safe from relegation as well.
For United, after a recent run of form that has dragged them into a top-four race with Liverpool, the game away at the London Stadium won’t be easy.
West Ham have improved their form. United’s away form has been dismal this season. Another negative result and ten Hag’s men would simply invite the pressure of this race.
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Hence, they must turn up and make that push to get the three points against the East London side. The likes of Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes need to carry this team in the next few games.