Real Sociedad midfielder Esteban Granero has claimed that new manager David Moyes can propel the Basque outfit up the La Liga table and into the Champions League.

Former Manchester United boss Moyes took over at the Anoeta in November following his infamous spell at Old Trafford last season, and has secured a win and two draws in his first four games in charge.

Granero is quoted by The Guardian as saying: "From the first day, the very first drill, [Moyes] has been very clear. And that's exactly what we needed. He's a prestigious coach and he wants a big club. We want that big club to be Real Sociedad.

"This is a club with a proud history and big fan base, over 22,000 season ticket holders. I don't think the teams near us in the table are thinking about Europe, but we are.

"The challenge is the Champions League. We're not afraid to say that. That has to be our [long-term] aim. That's the challenge, it's what we all want and what the coach came for."

Sociedad are 14th in the table, currently 17 points adrift of the final Champions League qualification spot.