Manchester United's players have welcomed the appointment of David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor. The majority are said to be happy he was chosen over José Mourinho, who they see as having a divisive nature, and there is also a sense that Moyes's tenure at Everton where he has managed for 11 years better fits the model of managerial longevity preferred by United.

Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach and former Chelsea manager, was considered the favourite to succeed Ferguson when he stepped down. But instead Ferguson recommended his fellow Scot, a decision that has gone down well with United's squad.

Although there is an admiration for Mourinho's track record of winning trophies at every club he has managed there was concern at a perceived abrasive man-management approach. One example cited among the United players has been the way Iker Casillas, the Real and Spain goalkeeper, has become ostracised. Before Christmas Mourinho dropped Casillas for Diego López, and earlier this month the manager said he wished he had signed López after his first season in charge. Manager and goalkeeper are barely on speaking terms and earlier this month the Real defender Pepe vehemently defended Casillas, who led Spain to the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 crowns.

Pepe said: "There needs to be a little more respect to Iker. Iker is well loved. What the coach said was not the most appropriate. Iker is a player who is part of Madrid. He's an institution, both in this club and in Spain."

This was noted by the United players, who respect Moyes and who are looking forward to working under him. Although his contract officially starts on 1 July, after Everton's final game of the season at Chelsea on Sunday, Moyes will immediately address the most pressing issues at his new club. These include assessing the squad and transfer policy, the makeup of his backroom staff, and the issue of Wayne Rooney, who asked to leave United three weeks ago.

Rio Ferdinand, who behind Ryan Giggs is United's longest servant, is clear every player has to start again under Moyes. "You've got to prove yourself under the new manager," the defender said. "He's going to come in with new ideas, new rules and a new regime.

"No matter how long we've been here, the likes of Ryan Giggs and myself have been here for many years, we'll be in the same boat instead as people like Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley. So we've all got to be wanting to prove ourselves to make sure he thinks we're the right people to start each game.

"They are massive shoes to fill but he couldn't be walking into a healthier situation. The young players here are hungry and want to win stuff. The senior players have won a lot of things but have still got the desire and the work ethic that the manager has instilled into us. I think that's vital for the future of the club."

Ferguson has spelt out why he wanted Moyes to replace him. "What I know of David is he's hard working and has an integrity about him," he said. "He's also got a work ethic about him and he's a serious football man. I think these are the qualities he's going to need. He's got a perseverance about him – look at what he's done at Everton.

"Eleven years without any tremendous financial backing but he's persevered with it and created some decent teams in the last few years. They are the qualities he's going to need at our club. The one thing you have to do is definitely sacrifice and persevere – it's not always a golden path of riches. You have hard days and difficult days, especially with the losses."