David Moyes: 10 Things You Need to Know About New Manchester United Manager

David Moyes' appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor was met with a mixed reaction.

Some fans decried the Scotsman's lack of experience managing a "big club," while others, who feared the appointment of a fashionable mercenary, praised the decision.

Moyes has been a coach in the Premier League for 11 years, all spent at Everton.

However, there are some fans of the Red Devils whose knowledge of the man and his tactical style is slim.

This article will gather 10 characteristics of Moyes that the United faithful should be aware of.

An Honest Upbringing

Like Sir Alex before him, Moyes was raised in a working class family in Glasgow, Scotland.

Recalling his youth, Moyes says "You had to look after yourself and that didn’t always mean you had to be the best fighter. Maybe that meant you had to be sharp with your tongue or a fast runner" (via The Sun).

Football was an escape for the man—he had a passion that sparked a relentless pursuit of making a life in the sport.

He had an honest hunger that derived from a father who was a draughtsman in the Clyde shipyards, and later an engineering lecturer.

A former coach of his, Jimmy Wood, recalls Moyes as being "always nice and polite" (via The Sun).

A Religious Man

David Moyes was a centre-back in his playing days. He appeared for Celtic, Dunfermline Athletic and Preston North End, among other clubs.

He was not the best player on his team, but a hard-working professional dedicated to the game.

Earlier this month, The Independent profiled Moyes as a deeply religious man, whose beliefs have a significant impact on his working life.

"He is quietly-spoken and good company with an interest in the pastoral care of his players. That perhaps stems from his deep-seated Christian beliefs," the story states.

This account differs from a public perception of Moyes as an intense, unsympathetic manager.

Never Been Sacked

In this day and age, it is rare indeed to come across a long-serving manager never to have been fired by his club.

But Moyes is one—he spent four years guiding Preston North End up the football league standings before his 11-year stint at Goodison Park.

He has been loyal to his clubs, and they have been loyal to him.

In the last seven Premier League seasons, Moyes' Everton have not finished outside the top eight once.

His team has been a model of consistency. Of course, winning the league outright will be a different challenge from competing for European places, but the signs are promising.

A Man-Manager

One of Sir Alex Ferguson's most notable characteristics was his ability to successfully man-manage his players.

He was a disciplinarian when he needed to be and a caring paternal figure on other occasions. Moyes is cut from the same cloth.

According to his biographer, Martin Baker, he is "a natural leader of men" (via The Independent).

"Moyes wants to know the individuals he manages, and he requires them to play—excuse the banality—as a team."

His players rave about him, including Marouane Fellaini who has said "he made me the player I am now" (via The Mirror).

A Demanding Work Ethic

David Moyes is famed for pushing his players to their physical limits. His "Horseshoe Runs" are feared by the Everton playing staff.

Recalling the boot camp-style drills, Phil Neville says "It filled me with dread. His method is to push you to your limits in training and then the match is easy" (via The Sun).

Moyes is close to being a workaholic—only this week he turned up for work at Old Trafford over a month before he is due to take charge of the Red Devils (via Daily Mail).

He will work immensely hard at United and expect his players to do the same.

Several big names may come in for a bit of a culture shock, but Moyes only wants to get the best out of those he coaches.

A Defensive Proficient

David Moyes has long been one of the best defensive-minded managers in the Premier League.

This isn't to say that his Everton side were not capable of playing attractive attacking football—they were—but that one of the manager's greatest strengths is in organising a back line.

This season, the Toffees have finished with the fourth best defensive record in the league (40), and with three fewer goals conceded than the Red Devils.

Moyes has gotten the best out of players like Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines, while extending the careers of Tony Hibbert, Phil Neville and Sylvain Distin.

He is certain to maximise the abilities of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford.

An Awkward Relationship with Wayne Rooney

The future of United's wantaway Wayne Rooney will be the first issue that David Moyes needs to address.

It seems as if Rooney has no intentions of working under the Scotsman, though The Guardian believes Moyes "is hopeful he can convince the striker that his long-term future remains at the club."

The friction between the two derives from Rooney claiming that his former manager leaked stories about him to a newspaper in his 2006 autobiography (via The Sun).

Moyes subsequently sued for libel and won a significant payout.

The two have since patched up their differences, but it would be naive to suggest that there is no more awkwardness.

Likes to Overload the Flanks

There are few teams in the Premier League more devoted to playing across the full width of the pitch than Everton.

According to WhoScored.com, the Toffees averaged 26 crosses per game this season, attacking down the left flank more than any other side.

This is full-back Leighton Baines' preferred wing—he is often overlapping with his teammates to create mismatches in the final third.

Baines is one of the best crossers in Britain, and was utilised as such under Moyes.

With strong bodies in the penalty area like Marouane Fellaini and Nikica Jelavic to aim at, the tactic often proved an effective one.

A Transfer Window Specialist

David Moyes has always had to work with a tight budget at Goodison Park.

Much of his success must therefore be attributed to his ability to pluck promising players from obscurity for relatively small sums.

Phil Jagielka cost £4 million, Leighton Baines £6 million, Kevin Mirallas £6 million and Tim Howard £3 million.

These are all terrific bargains and testament to Moyes' nose for talent.

At Old Trafford, he will be working with a far bigger budget, but that knack for scouting will not diminish.

A Reactive Tactician

David Moyes is one of the most active managers in the Premier League during games.

He spends plenty of time on the sidelines barking orders—in this respect, he differs in temperament from Sir Alex.

He adapts to each game, molding his team to suit the circumstances.

Moyes has been criticised in the past for playing things too cautiously when his team has led, but this is unfair.

Everton have outscored their opponents 23-20 this term in the second half (via SoccerStats.com). 

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