His savage sacking by United in April 2014, just ten months into a six-year contract, inflicted a wound that has still not healed. While he claimed the experience had made him a better manager, there is still bitterness.

“I’ve said all along I was unfairly treated,” said Moyes, who was appointed Sunderland manager last week after Sam Allardyce became England manager. “When you sign a six-year contract and you end up there ten months, yeah, I believe I was [treated badly].

“Ultimately the key is to win football matches. I didn’t win enough football matches, but you must say there were mitigating circumstances. And, I think, you could say there are maybe things that have gone on since then, that would actually justify that even more so.”