MANCHESTER UNITED legend Robin van Persie has lifted the lid on David Moyes’ ill-fated reign at Old Trafford.
Moyes, 60, was named as the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson after he retired back in 2013, but his time in the Man Utd hot seat went far from planned as he was sacked ten months into the job.
Twitter / @btsportfootballDavid Moyes saw West Ham reach their first European final in 47 years[/caption]
Twitter / @btsportfootballMan Utd legend Robin van Persie lifted the lid on their time together at Old Trafford[/caption]
However, the Scottish tactician’s fortunes have picked up, seeing West Ham through to the Europa Conference League final following a 3-1 aggregate win over AZ Alkmaar.
Speaking to BT Sport following the match, Van Persie praised Moyes, describing him as a “fantastic person and a fantastic coach”, while also lifting the lid on their time together at Man Utd.
He said: “I’m really pleased for David Moyes. I worked under him for a year, he’s a fantastic person and a fantastic coach as well.
“It was difficult for him at Manchester United but I’m really pleased for him because he loves the game. He’s a really good coach.
“From his point of view, West Ham didn’t play a great match tonight but defensively they all defended 4-4-2 zonal, they all did their job really well. This is how Moyes planned the game, I’m sure.
“I’m just really happy for him. He deserves it.”
The Dutchman, 39, scored 17 goals under Moyes’ tenure, including a famous hat-trick in the Champions League last 16 to see United comeback to beat Olympiacos.
And this is something Moyes remembers fondly.
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Upon joining the BT panel, Moyes laid his own praise on his former ace, saying: “Robin scored me a hat-trick when we beat Olympiacos.
“One of my main feats was to get Man Utd to the quarter-final of the Champions League, which is probably not good enough for Man Utd but still not a bad place to get to.”
Van Persie then replied: “I’m really happy for you, David. I think you deserve it.
“You’re a great man and a great coach.”
West Ham will now face Italian side Fiorentina in the final in Prague on June 7.
The match sees the Hammers end a 47-year wait to get to a European final, with their last appearance coming in a 4-2 defeat against Anderlecht in the 1975-76 Cup Winners’ Cup.
The club’s last major trophy came in 1980 in the form of the FA Cup, while they were one of three winners of the Intertoto Cup in 1999.
Despite an occasion for celebration, there were ugly post-match scenes as AZ hooligans attacked travelling friends and family of the Irons’ players and coaching staff sat behind the dugout.
Several West Ham players, including sporting director Mark Noble, rushed to help protect them from the thugs – who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.
Alkmaar fans were also caught up in the violence.