Moyes: I warned Everton that Man United were coming for their best players

Manchester United’s manager Moyes talks with Fellaini during a training session in Manchester

Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed that when he told Everton chairman Bill Kenwright about taking the United job, he warned him that he’d return for the club’s best players.

Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm at Old Trafford and immediately tried to sign Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini from his former club.

A bid was rejected by the Blues but Moyes returned to spend £27 million on Fellaini who has failed to impress his news club’s fans so far.

“Once I got the United job, I ­discussed it with Bill near enough immediately,” said Moyes. “I said that there would be some players I would be interested in.

“Bill was well aware of it but ­obviously it was always going to be a difficult thing when it ­actually came to it.”

In hindsight, Moyes recognises the situation could have been handled differently, saying: “There were bits of it I would have liked to have done better.

“But there were also bits of it as a whole I think could have been done better. That is football. I speak with Bill regularly.

“We both knew this would ­happen but it is never that easy. But time moves on as well. Life is too short to hold any grudges.”

Meanwhile, Moyes said he is expecting a mixed response from Everton fans when the Toffees travel to Manchester this evening.

But the Scot is more concerned with the dent that Everton could put in United’s title charge.

“Everton have only been beaten in one game this season, they are a team in good form,” he said.

“Roberto Martinez is doing a good job and has been a good choice as manager. They are in a great league position. They have good players and a good team.”

Fellaini has used his aerial ability to good effect at United this season, winning 20 of his 28 headed duels.