David Moyes defends Manchester United chips ban

David Moyes banned chips during his time at Manchester United. Picture: GettyDavid Moyes banned chips during his time at Manchester United. Picture: Getty
David Moyes banned chips during his time at Manchester United. Picture: Getty

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FORMER Manchester United manager David Moyes has admitted he did ban the Red Devils squad from having chips - because he felt some of the players were overweight.

Rio Ferdinand lifted the lid on Moyes’ turbulent tenure at Old Trafford in his recent autobiography ‘#2Sides’, highlighting the removal of low-fat chips on a Friday night as a particular bone of contention.

The pre-game treat had been a ritual under Moyes’ illustrious predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson, but the former Everton boss, famed for his discipline and hard work on the training ground during his time with the Toffees, was not sure they deserved it.

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“Yes, I did ban chips,” Moyes told Four Four Two magazine. “It was because a couple of players were overweight and I didn’t think chips were good for their diet.”

Moyes, who only lasted 10 months of his six-year contract at United, is now rebuilding his career in the Primera Division with Real Sociedad.

His first task is lifting his new team clear of a relegation battle - they were above the drop zone only on goal difference when he took over - and a surprise 1-0 win over Barcelona last month has helped to move them four points clear of danger.

It was in similar circumstances that Moyes swept into Goodison Park in 2002, taking over a club in disarray after Walter Smith was sacked, but, after steadying the ship, he turned the team into top-half mainstays over an 11-year spell on Merseyside.

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He did that despite a meagre budget, which was enough to earn him a shot at United, despite failing to add to Everton’s trophy cabinet.

When Moyes left Goodison, he did so with a rousing send-off from Evertonians, but this good feeling soon turned sour when he came back with bids for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines that were deemed to be derisory by his former club.

Further comments from Moyes during the pursuit of the pair angered Toffees supporters, who roundly booed their former boss as United lost 2-0 at Goodison last April in what proved to be his final game in charge of the Red Devils.

The 51-year-old revealed the reaction of the Everton faithful stung, adding: “I wasn’t surprised, because I know how supporters react and I had left their club. But I was disappointed.

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“I got Everton competing at the top end of the league with a mid-table budget. I gave everything I could in trying to make Everton the best I could. It was a long process but we did it - my staff, my players and others at the club.

“We had some glorious nights at Goodison and the fans were superb. I’ve got huge affection for Everton - it was my life for over a decade.”

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