David Moyes' response to whether West Ham will do Declan Rice and Arsenal favour
David Moyes says West Ham will not set out to do former captain Declan Rice a favour when they face Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
If the Hammers can thwart Pep Guardiola ’s City and Arsenal win at home to Everton, ex-skipper Rice would become a Premier League champion a season after joining the Gunners in a £100m transfer.
But Moyes, who is taking charge of West Ham for the final time, insists his team are not thinking about doing their former team-mate a favour.
"No,” was the Scot’s emphatic response. “Everybody here loves Declan and remembers him but we're not doing it for Declan. We're doing it for ourselves, do the best we can."
West Ham have already guaranteed a top-half finish and Moyes, for whom Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was a player at Everton, says his team will not be easing up away to City - avoiding any of the type of polemic that defined the reigning champions’ midweek trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
"Football is a strange game, you never know when you’ll get opportunities to win. You have to take those opportunities when you can," Moyes added.
"Let's be fair, it’s difficult to win at Manchester City at any time, especially when they know they’ve got to win a game to secure the championship. That puts us under pressure because of what Manchester City can do but also it puts Manchester City under pressure as well. We have to do everything we can to play the game and concentrate on ourselves.
"We’re not playing to make Manchester City win the Premier League and we’re not playing to make Arsenal win the Premier League. We’re playing for West Ham and we’re trying to win the game for West Ham. We can't finish lower than ninth, which is a really good league position for West Ham in lots of ways. The players and myself are all pleased at that situation, that no matter what the outcome we’re in a strong position."
David Moyes' last West Ham game as manager is away at title-chasing Manchester City
Moyes says he is leaving West Ham after a period of “greater stability” that leaves the club in a better position than what he inherited.
He expects to take a break and is working for a number of media outlets during next month’s European Championship. But he does think another job will come.
“I am going to take a good break and see what to do,” he added. “I’ve got plenty of opportunities and will make a decision in due course. But it won’t be quick, that’s for sure.”
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