Rene Meulensteen denies David Moyes' claim that he was offered a coaching role at Man Utd

RENE MEULENSTEEN has rejected David Moyes’ claim that he was offered the chance to stay at Manchester United.

COUNTER CLAIM: Meulensteen insists he was not offered a place on David Moyes' coaching staff at United

Ex-Old Trafford coach Meulensteen was one of the biggest victims of the change of manager at Old Trafford last summer.

New United boss Moyes let three of the men who had been key to United’s success under Sir Alex Ferguson leave and replaced them with his trusted allies from Everton.

The decision to dispense with Meulensteen, No.2 Mike Phelan and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele has been cited as one reason why the reigning Premier League champions have struggled so badly this season.

Moyes insisted earlier this season that he offered Meulensteen the chance to stay and help him handle United’s transition period.

But the Dutchman, who returns to United for the first time as Fulham boss tomorrow, denied it.

He said: “I wasn’t offered anything whatsoever.

“We just discussed the situation as it was and we came to a mutual decision that it was better for myself and for David to part ways.”

Despite United’s problems without him and Meulensteen’s current woes at rock-bottom Fulham, the under-pressure Craven Cottage boss said: “Yes I am pleased with how it has gone.

WINNER: Meulensteen was a key figure at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson

“I do miss United. It will be brilliant to go back, absolutely brilliant. It has just been such a special club for me and still is. I have got a lot of friends there and still have and I will enjoy every moment of it.

“I am surprised they are not in the title race as they still have world class players.

“It is a club I worked many years for and I love the club. I love the people there. And of course I would have liked to see them do better.

“All the players know that, everyone knows that. I am sure that David Moyes is doing everything he can to get it right.”

But with plenty on his own plate, Meulensteen is planning to make the most of all his inside knowledge to mastermind a shock result.

That would ease the growing pressure on his shoulders following Tuesday’s shambolic FA Cup exit against League One strugglers Sheffield United.

Asked if he was the best man to exploit United’s weaknesses, Meulensteen said: “Maybe. After every poor performance, we look for a response. My job is to manage that response.

“Sometimes bigger challenges can produce bigger performances and that is what we need on Sunday.”