Real Sociedad midfielder Esteban Granero has revealed Juan Mata's disappointment over Manchester United's sacking of David Moyes.

Moyes takes charge of La Real in today's derby against Athletic Bilbao.

Granero was straight on to the phone to close friend Mata when Moyes was confirmed as his new coach.

"He spoke very highly of him. We all know what the big clubs are like - the criticism comes quickly and the coach always pays. But Juan said to me that he was unlucky there and that he would have liked for them to have shown a little bit more patience with him. Their loss is now our gain," he told the Mail on Sunday.