Van Gaal vs Moyes

Were United better or worse under David Moyes?

Criticism of Louis Van Gaal cranked up to feverish levels after Manchester United's home defeat to Southampton last weekend, and the Dutchman's goose is close to being cooked by a potent combination of poor results and dull football.

One man who would relate to the pressure cooker LVG currently finds himself in is David Moyes. Handpicked as the heir to Sir Alex Ferguson's throne, Moyes suffered similar abuse (that banner towed by an airplane, for example!) for failing to get it right and bit the bullet nine months into a six-year contract. 

Van Gaal has been shown more grace than Moyes by the United board, but there is little doubt that defeat to Stoke City this weekend would plunge Old Trafford into full-blown rebellion against his, thus far, turgid football philosophies. 

So, how do the managers entrusted with the near-impossible task of emerging from Ferguson's shadow stack up?

In all competitions, Moyes was at the helm for just 51 games; Van Gaal currently in charge for 78 and counting. 

What is clear is that Moyes simply lost too many football matches. The architect of an Everton team hailed for their resilience was unable to instill any such spirit at Old Trafford - the Red Devils losing 15 times under him, almost a third of their games. 

Win %s Moyes v LVG Moyes: Win 53%, Draw 18%, Lose 29% LVG: W50%, D27%, L23% Enough to bite the bullet? #playmaker

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 26, 2016

LVG guided United to fourth and Champions League football last season, and this time around they are still within touching distance of the promised land (though they already trail fourth-placed Spurs by five points). Moyes was relieved of his duties with United in 7th - the gulf between reality and the promised land too much for United's board and directors to take. 

Despite being in the hotseat for considerably more matches, Van Gaal has lost just three more games than Moyes. However, Moyes' win percentage of 53% is higher than Van Gaal's current 50% win ratio - the Dutchman unable to turn draws into the wins that were the lifeblood of Ferguson's glorious reign. 

United have drawn 21 games under Van Gaal, whose possession-based football is struggling to unlock Premier League defences and boring the Stretford End to tears. 

That being said, one relatively impressive aspect of Van Gaal's reign so far is the Red Devils' record against the big guns.

One defeat apiece against Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea are the only times LVG's men have been put to the sword by a 'Top Six' peer (they have not lost to Spurs or Liverpool under the Dutchman). Four straight wins against fierce rivals Liverpool have endeared LVG to the faithful and wins against City, Arsenal and Tottenham (x2) have hinted at a possible return to greatness. 

LVG has 8 wins against Top Six rivals: 4 v Liverpool 2 v Spurs 1 v Arsenal 1 v City Moyes had just one (v Arsenal). #playmaker

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 26, 2016

In contrast, Moyes' United were soft opposition against the traditional superpowers, losing both games against Liverpool and City, and one game to Chelsea and Tottenham during the Scotsman's ill-fated stint. In fact, a 1-0 win against Arsenal was Moyes' only victory against United's traditional rivals. 

Throw in two losses against former employers Everton (the second his last game in charge) and the reasons for United fans' misery under Moyes become even more evident. 

While Moyes managed to pick up points against lesser opposition fairly comfortably, LVG has had some shockers in games that would have been viewed as three points in the bag under Ferguson. Three losses to Swansea, two to Southampton and defeats to the likes of Bournemouth and Norwich have completely shorn United of the aura they had and clubs with lesser budgets and fewer quality players are now lining up for a shot against LVG's troops. 

Stats aside, the style of football on show was probably the over-riding factor behind Moyes' dismissal and, similarly, the anaemic nature of United's performances this season under LVG are at the heart of the incessant speculation currently surrounding him. 

A home win at Old Trafford used to be almost a given, but former United legend Mark Hughes will march on his old hunting ground with hope in his heart this Saturday. 

Should the Potters win, LVG following Moyes out of the exit seems a more than fair bet.

Goals conceded by Man Utd under Moyes/LVG: PL: Moyes 40 in 34Gs, LVG 58 in 61Gs Total: Moyes 54 in 51Gs, LVG 73 in 78Gs LVG wins.

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 26, 2016

Goals scored by Man Utd under Moyes/LVG: PL: Moyes 56 in 34Gs, LVG 90 in 61Gs Total: Moyes 86 in 51Gs, LVG 117 in 78Gs Same ball park

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 26, 2016