West Ham boss David Moyes delivers Erik ten Hag verdict ahead of Manchester United fixture

West Ham United manager David Moyes has heaped praise on Erik ten Hag ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester United at the London Stadium.

United will travel to the capital aiming to get their quest for a top four finish back on track following Thursday night's last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Alexis Mac Allister converted a 99th-minute penalty for the Seagulls, denting the Reds' hopes of earning a respectable away point.

It means United, particularly if Liverpool beat Brentford on Saturday evening, will be under stern pressure to get back to winning ways and record just their third Premier League away win of 2023. Despite that concerning away record, however, the Reds have made encouraging strides under Ten Hag this term, meaning they ought to cling onto a top four spot and secure Champions League qualification for next season.

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And Moyes, who spent just under a year in charge at Old Trafford, has hailed the progress that the Reds have made under Ten Hag, admitting that the club is heading back towards the position that it is desperate to be in.

"Manchester United are a really good team with terrific players," Moyes said, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday lunchtime. "We had to play one of the best teams a few weeks ago in Arsenal and we have to play another on Sunday. We'll have to play very well.

"The manager has done a brilliant job with them. He's getting Manchester United much closer to the places where they all hoped they would be."

Meanwhile, the Hammers are optimistic of welcoming Nayef Aguerd, Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice back into the squad after they missed Wednesday