“At the present time you can say La Liga is the best league in the world. It has overtaken the Premier League. I want to come here and stand on my own two feet,” said Moyes, who agreed that he was undertaking the biggest test of his career. He certainly sounded more his own man again than he had done at United. “The best way to do that is to come initially on my own. But I will then add staff.” There was some questioning as to why he declined La Real’s original four-year offer – he ruefully referred to that six-year contract at United not meaning too much – although, in fairness, he has not suggested that this is a long-term project even if his intensive, daily Spanish lessons will begin on Monday.