David Moyes has issued a withering warning to Erik ten Hag when asked about the managerial hot-seat at Old Trafford after the Ajax boss sensationally threatened to walk out of his recent press conference.
Moyes is currently preparing his West Ham side for the second leg of an important Europa League quarter-final against Lyon on Thursday but he couldn't help but wield in on his old club's current fortunes.
The Scot famously took over from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 after impressing in spells at Preston North End and Everton but his time at Manchester United was short as the club decided to make his services no longer required after just ten months into an initial six-year deal.
That tenure was the third shortest in managerial history at the Reds and a number of former players have spoken out about the importance of getting the right man for the job.
“I had my chance. I didn't quite reach what I'd like to have done or get the results I'd like to have done - but I think that's been the same with a lot of the managers there and some of them were really top, top managers", said Moyes.
"We've moved quickly at West Ham to being close to that club, so if we can make it two years in a row in Europe, that would be an incredible achievement for us.
"You have to have a plan. You need four or five transfer windows to get it right. That's not just me. Most managers need that."
Ten Hag oversaw another victory for Ajax as the club beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 on Saturday with former Southampton attacker, Dusan Tadic netting a penalty that ultimately secured the points.
English press organisations reportedly had their accreditations withdrawn from the post-match press conference but that piece of brinkmanship did little to quell the very obvious line of questioning.
A tetchy ten Hag answered: "I want to talk about the game. I am not reacting to rumours... [ask me] questions about the game or I am going inside."
While countryman and former Chelsea and Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit has advised that the move may not be the best for the 52-year-old and sighted outside influences as being problematic.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport, Gullit said: "They want to play the football he plays, but it will be a really terrible job.
"There are all these former players in the TV studios: Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes.
"There is constant pressure on the team, that is not easy. He will know what to expect, it’s a huge job. He also has to be given the time, but I don’t know if you get the time at Manchester United.”
The cost of releasing the manager from his contract at Ajax has been regarded as a potential positive in recruiting ten Hag's services.
A compensation fee is thought to be around £1.6 million – an amount that is significantly smaller than any move for long-time suitor Mauricio Pochettino would have attracted.
