• Premier League

Moyes was unlucky at United, says Mata

Juan Mata believes David Moyes failed at Manchester United because he was unlucky, but feels his work ethic will equip him to do well in his new job at Real Sociedad.

Moyes' return to management with the La Liga club was announced this week, six months after he was sacked by United with the then-defending Premier League champions seventh in the table.

Mata became United's record signing when Moyes paid £37.1 million to buy him from Chelsea in January, and admits he was surprised when the Scot left the club three months later.

"He is a coach who had no luck here at Old Trafford. He didn't get the results we wanted and left sooner than I expected," Mata told Cope.

"Obviously, replacing Sir Alex Ferguson was never going to be easy - not for him or for anyone. Although I was with him for only a few months, I'll always be grateful as he played a key role in my move to United. He was the one who called me, who welcomed me, and the one who gave me the confidence to come here."

Moyes managed Everton before taking charge of United, securing nine top-eight finishes in his 11 years at Goodison Park, and now inherits a Sociedad side who are 15th in La Liga.

"I wish him all the best. My experience with him was very good, and he did well at Everton. He works hard and prepares really well for games," Mata added.

"I have some great friends at Real, such as Esteban Granero, and I also want the best for him. I hope he does well, as Real Sociedad is a club with loads of history and a fantastic stadium. They also have a great team, with some especially good strikers, so I think he can settle in and be a success."

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, who also played under Moyes at Everton and spent a year at Sociedad, told Marca: "I am aware that Moyes has reflected after what happened to him in Manchester and he will know what he has to change.

"A manager that succeeded 10 years at Everton, but whose 10-month stay at United didn't go to plan, does not forget how to coach.

"He is going to find a club that in many aspects resembles Everton. It's like a family, and with a group of players that are currently in a lower position that they deserve to be in.

"David likes to maintain a very united group and he gives a lot of importance to it. He also takes a personal interest in his players as well."

United's Michael Carrick has backed Moyes to succeed, saying he was glad to see him making a return to management.

"I hope it goes great for him over there," Carrick said. "It's a new challenge for him. He has been successful over such a long period of time that, fair enough, he will be frustrated with how things went last year - as we all were - but I am sure he will bounce back. Hopefully he can do well."

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