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70th time lucky? West Ham manager David Moyes is calling on his side to be more ‘brave’ and more positive to end their abysmal away record against the Big Six ahead of their clash with his former club Man United on Sunday
- David Moyes has given his players a rallying cry ahead of Sunday’s game
- His West Ham squad travels to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United
- Moyes failed to beat a ‘big six’ side of home in a shocking 69 tries
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West Ham manager David Moyes has urged his team to be ‘braver’ in order to put his dismal ‘big six’ record behind him.
The hugely experienced Moyes has failed to win from home in 69 attempts in the competition against the ‘big six’, but he believes he is closing the gap and Sunday could be lucky for the 70th time.
It could be the perfect redemption story for Moyes as he takes a trip down memory lane as West Ham come face to face with his former Manchester United side at Old Trafford.
West Ham boss David Moyes has urged his side to be braver to end his horrendous ‘big six’ record
He hasn’t beaten a ‘big six’ side away from home in 69 attempts – the last of which was when the Hammers lost 1-0 to Premier League club Liverpool two weeks ago at Anfield
Moyes said: “Last year we did quite well against them. I know we lost both games to Man United in the last minute. Last year we led the top teams very well. We’ve been to Anfield, barely lost. Lost at Chelsea narrowly.
“The bottom line is trying to make your own luck by being brave and positive, and for the last year or so that’s the way we’ve been.”
Moyes will be delighted to welcome £30million defender Nayef Aguerd who has made a full recovery from an ankle injury sustained against Rennes over the summer.
The Scot handed a late debut to the 26-year-old Morocco international in Thursday night’s 1-0 win against Silkeborg in the UEFA Europa Conference League and could see him make a Premier League debut on Sunday.
Moyes will take on his former team Man United on Sunday, where he was sacked after 10 months
First, he will warn Aguerd, a player Moyes believes has the style to move West Ham forward, about how physical the Premier League can be.
Moyes added: “I spoke to him before he came in. I told him these would be the things he should expect and the differences.
“If we’ve struggled anywhere, then in the middle, we’ve had problems in position all year.
“He’s a really good leader and organizer defensively, he’s got a nice left foot and I always want a balance between a left foot and a right foot if I can get it defensively.”