FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED manager David Moyes has revealed that he banned the eating of chips by his squad during his spell at the club last season because he felt that some of his players were overweight.
Moyes came in for criticism following his sacking in April, with former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand critical of the Scot’s decision to remove chips from the menu, with eating low-fat fries having been a ritual under Sir Alex Ferguson prior to Moyes’ arrival.
But the 51-year-old, now in charge of Spanish club Real Sociedad, says that it was necessary.
“Yes, I did ban chips,” Moyes, who only lasted 10 months of his six-year contract at United, told FourFourTwo. “It was because a couple of players were overweight and I didn’t think chips were good for their diet.”
The Sociedad boss also admitted that he was disappointed with the reception that he received when United travelled to Goodison Park in 2013-14. After 11 years as manager at Everton, Moyes returned to a chorus of boos on Merseyside as United crashed to a 2-0 defeat against his former club. The Scot, who was sacked just days after that loss, said: “I wasn’t surprised because I know how supporters react and I had left their club but I was disappointed.
“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.”
