Moyes: I thought Fergie was after my players, but he told me I was the next Man United manager... it was incredible!

  • Moyes thought Ferguson was after some of his Everton players
  • 'No way I want Wayne Rooney to quit the club,' says Moyes

By Ian Ladyman

PUBLISHED: 19:35 EST, 5 July 2013 | UPDATED: 19:47 EST, 5 July 2013


JUST before 4pm yesterday afternoon, a coach carrying a group of Japanese tourists arrived on the forecourt at Old Trafford. At Manchester United, certain things will never change.

Inside, however, other things were changing; more important things. In the Europa Suite — used by United for all their big press conferences — there was a new manager sitting at the top table and, as we know, this hadn’t happened for 27 years.

For David Moyes and the Barclays Premier League champions, the future began on a sunny afternoon in Stretford and Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor had come armed with all the right messages.

VIDEO Scroll to the bottom for video of David Moyes' first press conference at Old Trafford

Welcome on board: David Moyes has held his first press conference as Manchester United manager

Welcome on board: David Moyes has held his first press conference as Manchester United manager

David Moyes
David Moyes

David Moyes

‘I am incredibly privileged to be given an opportunity,’ said Moyes.

‘It was a really strange situation for me. I had no idea whatsoever. I knew nothing at all until Sir Alex gave me a call and asked me to come to his house.

‘I was expecting him to say, “I’m going to take one of your players”. But the first thing he said to me was, “I’m retiring next week”.

‘And his next words were, “You’re the next Manchester United manager”, so I didn’t get the chance to say yes or no. I was told that I was the next manager and that was enough. It was incredible.

Passing of the guard: Sir Alex Ferguson, left, is the former United manager and Moyes has taken over from the Scot

Passing of the guard: Sir Alex Ferguson, left, is the former United manager and Moyes has taken over from the Scot

Title winner: Ferguson holds aloft the Premier League trophy last season

Title winner: Ferguson holds aloft the Premier League trophy last season

‘Within half an hour he was talking about the squad and the players and the staff. I couldn’t believe it.

At that time I was sworn to secrecy. He said a lot of things to me about the club and how great it was and that he felt I could take it on.’

As opening anecdotes go, it wasn’t bad.

To rival it, Moyes then told a story about Sir Bobby Charlton knocking on his door at the club’s training ground this week and wishing him luck and then another involving a two-hour phone chat with Paul Scholes that entailed the former United midfielder refusing — for now — an offer to join the coaching staff but then giving the lowdown on some of his former team-mates.

If Moyes felt like he was joining the most glamorous football institution in the country when he accepted United’s offer last May then the last few days will only have reinforced that impression. Certainly it was not like this when he became player-manager at Preston 15 years ago.

Back then Moyes was an ailing 34-year-old central defender who knew he needed a new career. Now, he is about to fill the biggest shoes in European football.

‘Whoever was going to take over this job knows what the manager did before,’ he said. ‘His achievements, there are no better. All I can do is what David Moyes has done before.

‘I will definitely continue the traditions of Manchester United, but I have to put my own stamp on the club. I’m very fortunate I’m taking over the champions of England, so that gives me a great start, better than most would get.

David Moyes
Getting to know you: Moyes in the Old Trafford dug out

Getting to know you: Moyes in the Old Trafford dug out

‘Sir Alex has left me a really strong team which I think gives me a great chance of retaining the title. I’ve come to a club where success is tattooed across the badge.

'This club is about winning trophies and I’ve come to continue that. This will not change me. I’m determined to try to get the first trophy on the board.

‘There are some brilliant managers out there who could have taken this role, but the biggest confidence I can take is Sir Alex telling me he wanted me to be the next manager. I have already called him two or three times for some advice. And Sir Bobby Charlton came to see me and I was as thrilled about that as anything.’

During the 26 minutes for which he spoke, Moyes managed to walk an admirably fine line between showing due deference to those who have shaped the modern Manchester United and indicating his intentions to manage the way he sees fit.

After all, the last thing United need now is a man in awe of his surroundings.

The journey begins: Moyes poses with assistant manager Steve Round (left) and coach Jimmy Lumsden (right)

The journey begins: Moyes poses with assistant manager Steve Round (left) and coach Jimmy Lumsden (right)

Understandably, he faced a barrage of questions about Wayne Rooney; more than a dozen in fact.

Happily, he was allowed to answer without interruption from United’s media staff and perhaps we should take from his answers what we pretty much suspected already, namely that United do not want to sell, but that Rooney himself may need convincing.

‘The fact of the matter is Wayne is not for sale. He is a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player.

Speculation over: Moyes wants Wayne Rooney to stay at the club

Speculation over: Moyes wants Wayne Rooney to stay at the club

Benched: Rooney spent the end of the season on the sidelines, leading to speculation about his future

Benched: Rooney spent the end of the season on the sidelines, leading to speculation about his future

‘We have spoken several times and whatever happened before is gone. We’re working together now.

'I see a glint in his eye. He looks happy and he looks like he is going to knuckle down and get himself right.

‘He’s come back in good shape and I’m really looking forward to working with him,’ he said.

That is an issue for the immediate future. Moyes leads United on a tour of Asia and Australia next week and by the time they return at the end of July he will hope to have Rooney onside.

Big arrival: Moyes arriving at Carrington ahead of his press conference

Big arrival: Moyes arriving at Carrington ahead of his press conference

Meet and greet: Moyes meets more staff on his first day as Manchester United manager at Carrington

Meet and greet: Moyes meets more staff on his first day as Manchester United manager at Carrington

Settling in: Moyes gets to grips with his surroundings earlier in the week

Settling in: Moyes gets to grips with his surroundings earlier in the week

So far, there has been no call to arms for the United squad, simply because not all of them have returned to pre-season yet.

When things do get serious, Moyes would appear to understand that he has an obligation here to do more than just win football matches.

‘I hope we play the same way as previous teams,’ he said. ‘We should have the same traditions and entertaining, exciting football.

I’ve always said the biggest thing in football is to win, the job here is to win. I would always put winning at the top of the list. Sir Alex would as well. But you have to get the balance right and hopefully I can.

‘When you are at Manchester United, my thinking is that you attempt to win everything. Maybe you miss out sometimes, but you have to attempt to win all the trophies.’

For Moyes and United the serious business starts on the weekend of August 17 with a Premier League trip to Swansea. Then comes a game at home to Chelsea and another at Liverpool.

If he doesn’t yet feel like a Manchester United manager yet, he will by September.

 
 

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So out of the blue, SAF told you he'd decided that you were the new manager. Did he tell you to put your finger in the fire as well? Straw man

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@ - bips , Ip, Malaysia, No mourinho is none of those things, he's to busy poking opposition managers in the eye deliberately, what a vile act from a vile man.

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After his bid for Baines, I lost all respect for Moyes. If you're the kind of person who conveniently ignores what you said and did when the shoe was on the other foot, you show your true colours. If you walk all over people, they won't be there when you need them. Which might be sooner rather than later for Moyes.

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------- So you believe a man who constantly abuses referees, thinks offside decisions are always against his team, has his mole (Gill) in the FA, and now in UEFA, thinks RVP could have been killed by a football... Hypocrites. Jose might be aggressive but never dishonest and hypocritical. He speaks his mind unlike the purple nose. - bi- bips , Ip, Malaysia, 07/7/2013 01:05-------------- I haven't a clue what time it is in Malaysia, but whatever/wherever you are domiciled, bi-bips, 1.05 am is probably stretching your limits in terms of reasonable thought and discussion !!! But, hey ho, your analogy of Jose is, non the less, spot on, - aggressive. Regards to the reference of " purple nose ", a little old hat now. The great man has now retired, therefore the United fans await your, rather delayed, transfer of unimaginative immature wit toward a more time appropriate name calling directed at our new manager. Think about it for a while , take your time. Gollum won't do now.!!!

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" If Mourinho says he knew about the retirement months previous, so did you " !!!!!!!! So, let me get this straight, you believe Jose, the man who poked his finger in the eye of a fellow coach, in a temper tantrum, then tried to deny it ! before the word of a much respected ex Manager of your great club ???? Sir Alex didn't even tell his own brother ! DM has been and will always be respectful of EFC. Martinez will certainly earn the same respect. Can't say the same of Jose. Everton fans are no fools and neither are we. - Babs7falmouth, Truro, United Kingdom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So you believe a man who constantly abuses referees, thinks offside decisions are always against his team, has his mole (Gill) in the FA, and now in UEFA, thinks RVP could have been killed by a football... Hypocrites. Jose might be aggressive but never dishonest and hypocritical. He speaks his mind unlike the purple nose.

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Moyes was so classy at Goodison you get the feeling it is about to change. Bids for Baines, the 'AON Training Complex.', etc, etc,

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I am not a Man U fan but i really hope Moyes has great success he seems to be a great guy...

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Davey moyes best of luck at your new club you will always be loved at goodison and when you come back with Manu you will be welcomed

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@ - Moggy , Luton whoever took over from fergie, they took was going to have a challenge, but let me say this now, our challengers will have a challenge too.

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Its going to be a tough act to follow notwithstanding the smiles now. Other teams strengthening significantly will prove no pushovers this season.. Everybody is making shrewd buys. Moyes has a Real Challenge in front of him....

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