Moyes expects hot Goodison reception

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Tears filled Moyes’ eyes at Goodison Park when he waved goodbye to Everton fans last May following the final game of his 11-year spell at the club.

The Scot was given a guard of honour, and he struggled to contain his emotions as he walked around the pitch at the end of the 2-0 win over West Ham.

But there was little sign of that love last December when Everton came to Old Trafford.

Everton, rising up the table, beat United 1-0 and Moyes’ afternoon was soured by a large section of Toffees fans who barracked the Scot and declared their former manager would be sacked in the morning.

There is a growing feeling that, despite the pleas of his successor Roberto Martinez, Moyes will be subjected to the same sort of treatment from the terraces tomorrow.

The United manager, who has Wayne Rooney available following his recovery from a toe injury, wants the focus to be on the teams on the pitch, rather than himself, but he could not escape being questioned about the matter at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“It’s always been an intimidating atmosphere at Goodison,” said Moyes when asked about the potential reception he might get.

“I was a manager there and I know exactly what it can be like.

“Football will be football. I am a football supporter and that is how it works sometimes.”

Moyes saved Everton from relegation when he replaced Walter Smith in March 2002 and from then on it was a tale of constant success for the former Preston boss despite budget constraints.

Everton qualified for the Champions League in 2005 – although they were defeated by Villarreal in qualifying – and Moyes also led the Merseyside club to the FA Cup final in 2009.

Just after Everton’s win at Old Trafford, Moyes was forced to deny claims he branded Toffees supporters a “disgrace” for the barracking they gave him.

“You get on with your job,” said Moyes when asked how he felt after being verbally abused by Everton fans.

“I am Manchester United manager now and that is what I concentrate on. Sunday’s game is not about me, it’s about Everton and Manchester United.

Moyes further angered Everton fans by claiming he was trying to do “the right thing” for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini by offering them a route out of Goodison with United’s £28million bid.

As expected, Rooney will be fit to face his old club after he made a full recovery from the toe injury that hindered him in Munich last week.

Moyes also revealed that Robin van Persie is undergoing intensive work in Holland, where he is recovering from a knee injury.