Moyes was a surprise choice for many given his lack of Champions League experience, and his empty trophy cabinet, but Allardyce, who used to coach Moyes at Preston, today described the Scot as a perfect fit for the Old Trafford club.

Having enjoyed a stable and successful 11 years at Everton, many fans of the Merseryside club will be sad to see Moyes go, but Allardyce thinks the 50-year-old will have no problem focusing his team on trying to secure three points on Sunday afternoon.

Allardyce said: “It will be the last game at home for David as manager so it will be an emotional affair for him, but I’m sure, knowing David as I do, that he will be able to control and calm his emotions and do his very best to get the team to win.

“I don’t expect any favours whatsoever and I hope the crowd appreciate what he has done and that they show their appreciation.”

Allardyce first met Moyes back in 1993 when he was on the coaching staff at Preston, where the Scot was coming towards the end of his playing career.

Even back then Allardyce suspected that Moyes was desperate to embark on a career in management.

“He had been made captain just after the club bought him,” Allardyce said.

“He organised the lads and the back and he was very keen on talking about what the other side of the game was like, so I don’t think there was ever any doubt that David would move into the coaching and management side.”

With Jose Mourinho set to leave Real Madrid this summer, many thought the Portuguese could take over from Ferguson, particularly after he cosied up to the Scot during the Champions League last-16 clash between his team and United this season.

The former Chelsea boss has won the Champions League twice while Moyes’ only experience in Europe’s top club competition came in 2005 when his team lost to Villarreal in a qualifier.

Allardyce is sure Moyes will be a success at Old Trafford, however.

He said: “I think David Moyes is the perfect candidate for Manchester United.

“He will bring the same sort of stability and he will try and emulate what Sir Alex Ferguson has done. It will be the hardest job he has ever faced.

“It’s an enormous move for him and his career then has gone to the next level, but I don’t think anyone can do anything other than applaud him for what he has done for Everton over the last 11 years.”

Allardyce, who is yet to sign a new contract at Upton Park, will be looking to cement his team’s place in the top half of the table with what would only be their fourth away win of the season.

The good news for the former Blackburn and Bolton manager is that he only has two absentees through injury – James Tomkins and George McCartney, who are out with their respective calf and knee problems.