• Premier League

Moyes will not let Ferguson control United - Saha

Louis Saha believes David Moyes needs to create a more attacking team © Getty Images

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David Moyes would not allow Sir Alex Ferguson to carry on exerting control at Manchester United and would not permit his predecessor to become a disruptive force, Louis Saha has said.

The former France striker knows both managers well after playing for Ferguson at Old Trafford from 2004 to 2008, and then joining Moyes at Everton for three-and-a-half years.

Saha's former team-mate Roy Keane, who was Ferguson's captain before his explosive departure from United in 2005, accused his former manager of trying to interfere in Moyes' reign.

The Irishman said last week: "Everything is about control and power. He's still striving for it now even though he's not manager. There's massive ego involved in that."

But Saha disagreed, insisting Moyes is his own man and a strong character who would not let Ferguson have too great an influence.

He told PA Sport: "Roy Keane has huge respect for Manchester United, but he always has had the quality of speaking his mind. I don't think if something has been done by Sir Alex Ferguson it's to disrupt anything, it's to give help and advice.

"Controlling everything, I don't think David Moyes would accept that. He likes to do things his own way, and that's for sure that he will listen to advice but I don't think he will let anyone else control what happens at the club."

Saha said the challenge for Moyes is to fashion a more attacking side than his Everton team but believes he can combine well with Ferguson, who is now a director at Old Trafford.

He explained: "It is a strength having both of them there. One has freshness and the other has massive experience.

"Manchester United has a big, big image for English football. But I really think those two can work well together.

"David Moyes was at a club before with a very tough, defensive image. Now he needs to go forward and score more goals; that's something you have to put into your tactics in a way, but I think he can do it."

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