DAVID MOYES returns to Old Trafford this evening with his high-flying West Ham side.
The Scot succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, but lasted only 51 games in the hotseat.
How David Moyes’ lined his United side up for the final time
David Moyes suffered his final blow as Man United boss at the hands of former club EvertonCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Having seemingly got his mojo back in East London, however, Moyes would love to get one over his told team tonight, with a top-four place on the line.
Such has been the Hammers’ success this season that they are on track to exceed the points tally and league position of Moyes’ Man United side in 2014.
So ahead of this evening’s clash, SunSport rolls back the years to examine who Moyes, 57, fielded in his final Red Devils match – a poignant 2-0 defeat at the hands of old club Everton.
DAVID DE GEA
An experienced head now at Old Trafford, David de Gea was in just his third season at the club when David Moyes rolled into town.
The turbulent season didn’t seem to knock him too much, however, as he went on to win four consecutive Player of the Year awards at United – while also racking up 434 appearances to date.
CHRIS SMALLING
Chris Smalling was fielded out of position at right-back against the Toffees, ahead of future skipper Antonio Valencia.
The England international, 31, went on to make 323 appearances for United before moving to Roma on loan in 2019, and then permanently a year later – after falling out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chris Smalling is now a popular star at AS RomaCredit: Splash News
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PHIL JONES
Luckless Phil Jones conceded a penalty for Leighton Baines’ opener on that day in 2014, and has continued to have varying fortunes since.
At 29, he is a Premier League-winning defender with 27 England caps and 224 Man United outings – but he has currently been missing through injury for over a year, as his contract approaches its final 12 months.
JONNY EVANS
Red Devils fans may well rue the sale of Jonny Evans for a measly £6million to West Brom back in 2015.
Since enduring relegation with the Baggies, the 33-year-old has thrived at Leicester City under the astute management of fellow Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers.
Jonny Evans is dependable figure at Leicester CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ALEXANDER BUTTNER
Full-back Alexander Buttner regularly deputised for Patrice Evra between 2012 and 2014 for Man United.
But his career’s early promise rather fizzled out, and he is currently without a club at 32 after having his New England Revolution contract terminated in January – having also had spells at Dynamo Moscow, Anderlecht and Vitesse.
MICHAEL CARRICK
Michael Carrick became Mr Manchester United in his latter years with the club, having won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Champions League and a Europa League during his 11 years at the Theatre of Dreams.
Following his retirement in 2018, Carrick, 39, took on a coaching role – and now assists manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Michael Carrick now assists boss Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: EPA
DARREN FLETCHER
Homegrown Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher gave it all on the pitch for Manchester United, enjoying incredible success and making 342 appearances for the Red Devils.
Spells at West Brom and Stoke City followed his 2015 United exit, before he retired in 2019. The 37-year-old was recently appointed as the club’s first ever technical director.
NANI
An electrifying talent on his day, Nani at times dazzled Man United fans during his eight years with the club.
Since leaving permanently in 2015, however, he has led a nomadic existence – turning out for Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Sporting Lisbon and Orlando City, who he now captains aged 34.
Nani now skippers Orlando CityCredit: Getty – Contributor
JUAN MATA
Another survivor from that day at Goodison Park, Spaniard Juan Mata was a new-boy at the time, having joined for £37million from Chelsea just three months earlier.
Always an easy player on the eye, Mata has now made 267 appearances for United – although only seven of them have come in the Premier League this season – with his contract set to expire.
SHINJI KAGAWA
Despite showing glimpses of class, Japanese star Shinji Kagawa never quite hit the heights at Man United – returning to Borussia Dortmund following Louis van Gaal’s Old Trafford arrival in 2014.
After five years back in Germany, brief spells at Zaragoza and Besiktas followed, before the 31-year-old joined PAOK in January.
Shinji Kagawa, 31, recently joined Greek side PAOKCredit: Getty Images – Getty
WAYNE ROONEY
Wayne Rooney would go on to skipper Manchester United, as well as becoming their all-time leading goalscorer before making an emotional return to Everton in 2017.
Following a year back at Goodison, Wazza moved Stateside to DC United, before seeing out his playing career at Derby County, where he hung up his boots after being appointed manager earlier this season.
Rooney, 35, is now Derby County gafferCredit: Alamy Live News
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
