They say there is a time and a place for everything.
And it seems David Moyes has found both at West Ham United as they gear up for Sunday’s clash with his former club Manchester United.
There is never a dull moment when West Ham play Manchester United.
This time around promises to be no different with a number of subplots ahead of the game at the London Stadium.
Host of sub plots as West Ham entertain Man United but brief Moyes Old Trafford tenure always the elephant in the room
Two of the Premier League’s unbeaten teams, the return of Jesse Lingard to West Ham, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game in London on his return to England, the absence of Hammers star Michail Antonio, the first of a league and cup double header, Man United’s reported lingering interest in man of the moment Declan Rice and of course Moyes taking on his old club Man United.
In midweek Man United were beaten 2-1 in the Champions League.
But West Ham tasted the fruits of their labours after a meteoric rise under Moyes when they went to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League and comfortably won 2-0.
It was not that long ago the Scot was being written off as a footballing dinosaur.
Moyes has earned redemption – if it were needed – at West Ham after damaging Man United spell
And much of that was down to his painfully short-lived tenure at what he still refers to as “the biggest club in the world” – Man United.
If Moyes needed to prove himself again he has done that and then some at West Ham.
But there will rarely be a game involving him and the Red Devils where his fleeting 10-month stay at Old Trafford is not brought up.
Moyes complimentary but can’t resist not so subtle dig at contrast in time given to Solskjaer
And when it inevitably was in the pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Moyes – though forthcoming with praise for the club and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – could not resist a not so subtle dig at the lack of time he was given.
Time he feels Solskjaer – now in his third full season at Old Trafford – has been afforded instead (Sky Sports).
“Manchester United will always have to be competitive, trying to win trophies, trying to win the Premier League. That is what that club does…” Moyes said, as reported by Sky Sports.
“I think Ole has been given a real good chance to build a squad and a team. I have got to say I think he is doing a good job. He has certainly got a team which is more than capable this year of winning the Premier League and once again being competitive.
‘All managers would always ask for some time and if you can get that chance then it certainly helps’
“Yes, I do (still think about my time at Man United). I see it as a huge opportunity to manage the biggest club in the world. I don’t blame anybody bar myself, I needed to win more games.
“If you manage the biggest club in the world then you have to win the games and unfortunately, I didn’t win enough games.
“Ole is doing a really good job. I think all managers at any club would always ask for some time and if you can get that chance then it certainly helps you build your squad and let you put your thoughts over to your team.”
There are no guarantees in football. So there are no guarantees that Moyes would have been a success at Man United had he been given more time.
But if what he has achieved in just over 18 months at West Ham is any barometer, it is safe to say he would.
West Ham take on Manchester United in the 2pm kick-off on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
In other news, Giant striker Moyes wanted lays down Europa gauntlet to West Ham.
And Solskjaer delivers major update on Lingard’s future ahead of West Ham return.