Fergie didn't ask - he TOLD me I was going to manage United

David Moyes has revealed in his first press conference as United manager that Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t ask him whether he wanted to succeed him, rather told him that it was going to happen.

Referring to himself in third person, Moyes acknowledged the privilege of being given the job and obviously aims to do well in his time here.

“All I can do is do what David Moyes has done before,” he said. “I’ll continue the traditions of the club. I am very fortunate that I am taking over the champions of England and I do hope that I can do a great job here in time. Success is tattooed right across the club badge. I’m determined to get the first (trophy) on the board as soon as possible.”

Ferguson had been planning on announcing his retirement on our last home game of the season but the press got a hold of the story early, forcing the manager to confirm it was true. Moyes said when he found out he was sworn to secrecy.

“I’m inexperienced in a lot of things but the biggest confidence I got was that Ferguson told me I was the next United manager,” Moyes said. “He told me he’s retiring. I said “when?” and he said “next week. And you’re the next Manchester United manager. The blood drained from my face. I was really shocked but incredibly thrilled. Within half an hour, he was talking about the squad, players and the staff. I was sworn into secrecy. I only knew a couple of days before we played Liverpool.”

Reports in today’s papers suggest that Ferguson plans to avoid United’s first few games but Moyes has insisted he hopes Fergie will be there watching from the director’s box.

“This a new era but Sir Alex Ferguson will never go away,” Moyes continued. “He’ll always be here – you can see his statue, you can see his stand, and he’s certainly someone I’ll go to. Hopefully, the supporters will realise it was his time to finish and time for someone else.”