David Moyes opens up on Goodison Park pressure - 'I didn't want to be the manager who took Everton down'

Everton have pulled clear of the Premier League relegation zone and the feel-good factor is back at Goodison Park under David Moyes. But the Toffees boss admitted he had some concerns about the possibility of relegation before making the move back to Merseyside. Everton won four of their last five Premier League matches before facing Manchester United, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

David Moyes has admitted he felt some trepidation about the prospect of relegation from the Premier League after his return to Goodison Park to manage Everton.

The Toffees were mired in a relegation battle under former boss Sean Dyche, but a fine run of four wins from five Premier League matches since Moyes' return has lifted them away from the dogfight ahead of the visit of Manchester United.

Their strong run of form includes a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, which proved another valuable point for Moyes' resurgent side, but the former West Ham boss insists he never took anything for granted.

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"Much better than expected," Moyes told TNT Sports when asked if things had gone better than anticipated.

"When I came in I went, 'my goodness', and I'm saying it here with gritted teeth, I didn't want to be the manager who took Everton down.

"That's the pressure as a manager, especially when you've been here for so long and done good things over the years - you don't want to waste it.

"We're not safe yet, we're telling the players that, but I have to say they've done brilliantly. The results we've had have been great."

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Everton were among the lowest scorers in the division prior to Moyes' return, but the goals have flowed freely under the Scot.

And ahead of Saturday's lunchtime clash with United - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - Moyes claimed the upturn in form was a result of newfound confidence.

"I don't think there's a huge secret - trying to get the players to be a bit more confident and show more belief," he said.

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"I think they got to the stage where - Sean [Dyche] did such a good job and got them through the difficult times of making sure they stayed in the league, and that was a difficult period for everyone - they've just got a bit more confidence.

"Winning gives you that great feeling, we've started to get it, created a load more chances. We've had a few injuries but the boys who've come in have done really well."

How to watch Everton v Man Utd?

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Everton v Manchester United will be live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage from 11:00 UK time on Saturday, February 22, ahead of kick-off at 12:30.

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