His work will start before then though, with meetings planned with chief executive elect Ed Woodward to discuss their joint strategy going forward, having been given the strongest possible backing by Sir Alex Ferguson.

“It is a great honour to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United,” said Moyes.

“I am delighted Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job.

“I have great respect for everything he has done.

“I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something that comes around very often.

“I am really looking forward to taking up the post next season.”

As it was obvious Moyes would get the job by lunchtime on Wednesday, there was no surprise in the actual announcement, which came yesterday afternoon.

It certainly did not warrant the frenzy that preceded it, which even included two messages posted on United’s official Facebook page ahead of the official confirmation that needed to be hastily taken down.

Whilst that social media faux pas will be the cause of some embarrassment since United like to champion the fact they have 33 million followers, the official statement that came out approximately an hour later underlined why Moyes has been chosen in preference to the other front-runner, Jose Mourinho.

For, in giving the 50-year-old a six-year contract, twice as long as Mourinho has spent in any job, United have shown their desire to hire someone willing to immerse themselves in every facet of the club, just as Ferguson has done throughout his unparalleled tenure.

Out of contract in the summer, Moyes travelled to London on Wednesday and informed chairman Bill Kenwright of United’s interest.

He told Kenwright he would not be extending his stay at Goodison Park beyond the end of this season given the magnitude of the job he had been offered, before heading to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea’s draw with Tottenham.

As Chelsea will be the final opponents of Moyes’ tenure at Everton, there was nothing out of the ordinary in that visit.

However, Moyes watched the encounter in the knowledge they were two of the teams it will be demanded by United supporters at least that he will overcome.

He was back at Everton’s Finch Farm HQ yesterday morning to tell his players of his decision, in much the same way Ferguson had done at Carrington 24 hours earlier.

Such is the esteem in which Moyes is held that, like Ferguson, he will see out the campaign with his present club, bidding a personal farewell at Goodison Park for the final time after Sunday’s encounter with West Ham, an hour before his predecessor says goodbye to Old Trafford.