In a whirlwind few days for the landscape of British football, Sir Alex Ferguson announced that he was to retire as United's manager after 27 trophy-laden years on Wednesday and the following day Moyes was named as his successor.
Ferguson's decision to stand aside sent shockwaves around the football world and dominated the sports pages this week in Britain, yet any talk of the challenge Moyes faces at United was deemed off-limits at his Friday news conference.
The irony was not lost on Moyes when the first question came his way. "Any thoughts on West Ham?" lightened the mood and even the steely-eyed Glaswegian broke into a broad smile before discussing his final home fixture in charge of Everton against West Ham on Sunday.
"In due course I will try and make it up and say something to you," the 50-year-old Moyes told reporters. "But I would respect you today if you keep the questions solely about Everton Football Club."
"I wasn't planning to leave Everton. My contract was running out but if you pushed me I would say my mind was swaying on staying at Everton. I had everything in place for next season, all the pre-season preparations, the chairman knew the route I wanted to keep moving us forward."
"I hope they react the way they did when I first stepped in the door. If they don't, I can understand because I'm a fan myself," he said.
"If the fans don't react well I understand because you support your team.
"I will stand in the same position I always do and the big thing is we finish the season with as many points as we can.
"I was relatively unknown coming from Preston. They supported me and got behind me and I'd like to thank them for their support. It's not normal that a manager stays in a job for 11 years and without the backing of the supporters that wouldn't have happened."
"Forget my situation, just in terms of the celebration for the manager and his achievements, it is going to be an unbelievable day and I can't wait to be involved in it," he told Everton's website.
