Man Utd could land huge windfall thanks to former boss Moyes

Seven years have passed since David Moyes left Manchester United, but the West Ham coach could complete another favour for his former bosses if his team cracks the top four.

The Hammers sit sixth in the Premier League with three games to play, having flirted with Champions League qualification during Moyes’ second stint in east London.

A large part of their success in the second half of the season has come thanks to on-loan Jesse Lingard, who has scored nine goals and recorded four assists in 13 West Ham appearances.

The Sun has reported a clause in the United midfielder’s contract means West Ham will pay the Red Devils £500,000 if they qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

West Ham twice featured in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League when Slaven Bilic was in charge (2015-16), but they’ve never made it to Europe’s top table.

It’s unsurprising the club wants to keep hold of Lingard following his success on loan, although it’s been reported his parent club wants him back at Old Trafford this summer.

Moyes has earned calls to win Manager of the Year following his fast improvements at the London Stadium, guiding the Hammers to within an inch of their all-time best Premier League finish.

West Ham’s previous best accomplishment was a run to third in the 1985/86 Division One season, since which they’ve been relegated from the top flight on four occasions.

Much has changed for Moyes since he inherited Sir Alex Ferguson’s throne at the Theatre of Dreams. The Scot was selected to be Ferguson’s successor, but he was sacked after a single season with United, having led the club to a seventh-place league finish, their lowest in 24 years.

The 58-year-old was unsuccessful in his first attempt as Hammers boss, but fortunes have improved after he was brought back as a replacement for Manuel Pellegrini in December 2019.

West Ham have secured 17 Premier League wins from 35 attempts so far this season, which is as many as Liverpool and more than clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham and former employers Everton.

Chelsea currently occupy fourth and are six points ahead of West Ham having played a game more. However, their London rivals will hope the distraction of finals in the Champions League and FA Cup will hurt the Blues’ chances of keeping their heads above in the top-four chase.

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