David Moyes v Louis van Gaal - who really is the better manager?
The same fixture last season also coincidentally marked the final game of the Dutchman's predecessor, David Moyes, who was sacked just over a year ago after a similarly crushing defeat at Goodison Park in his 34th game at the helm.
A lot has happened to the Red Devils in the 12 months since Moyes' departure but is Louis van Gaal necessarily any better at the same point in his tenure?
With Champions League qualification nearly guaranteed, the managerial hotseat appears a lot safer for the Dutchman than for Moyes at a similar point.
Have a look all a full breakdown of the statistics below and judge for yourself...
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal: Total Premier League Points
57
Under Moyes
Under van Gaal
Out of 34 Premier League matches
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal Breakdown: Wins/Draws/Defeats
Out of 34 Premier League matches
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal: Premier League Position
7
Under Moyes
4
Under van Gaal
Out of 34 Premier League matches
Verdict:
Points mean prizes and there's little argument that van Gaal wins out having gained eight more points at this stage of the campaign than Moyes. But are there other factors to consider?For starters, van Gaal hasn't had any European football to contend with this season and went out of the Capital One cup at the first hurdle whereas David Moyes side went as far as the semi-finals, before losing on penalties to Sunderland.
Also, Manchester United 's 65 points this season under Louis van Gaal would only see his side sixth in the 2013/14 league table with Liverpool (80), Chelsea (75), Manchester City (71), Arsenal (70) and Everton (69) all comfortably obtaining more than van Gaal 's 65 points at the same part of the season.
Is it a case of this season's Premier League being poorer than last season's, or just more competitive?
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal: Manchester United's Home Points
24
Under Moyes
43
Under van Gaal
Out of 34 Premier League matches
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal: Manchester United's Away Points
33
Under Moyes
22
Under van Gaal
Out of 34 Premier League matches
Verdict:
The biggest gulf between both managers is David Moyes' inability to make Old Trafford a fortress under his stewardship. Too many times his side slumped to shocking home defeats to the likes of West Brom, Newcastle, Liverpool or drew with the likes of struggling Fulham.In comparison, David Moyes' side had much greater joy on the road than Louis van Gaal, collecting 11 more points.
Do these statistics back the continual claim from some sections that David Moyes is a manager who sets his side out not to lose as oppose to go for the win? Or, arguably, were the Old Trafford faithful too quick to get on his back when things weren't going well during home games?
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal: Manchester United's Goals Scored
56
Under Moyes
59
Under van Gaal
Out of 34 Premier League matches
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal: Manchester United's Goals Conceded
40
Under Moyes
34
Under van Gaal
Out of 34 Premier League matches
Verdict:
Despite the huge outlay on attacking talent such as Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Ander Herrera, it has only brought three more goals for Louis van Gaal' s men than David Moyes' side.At times van Gaal has struggled to find his best starting line-up and particularly get Falcao firing but as the campaign has progressed the Dutchman has stumbled across the right formation and personnel with the Red Devils playing with more verve in the past month or so.
Injuries and suspensions certainly haven't helped the Dutchman during this season though, particularly in the back four, making the ratio of one goal conceded every game a commendable feat.
David Moyes v Louis van Gaal: Transfer Money Spent
£64.6m
Under Moyes
£145.5m
Under van Gaal
Verdict:
David Moyes only signed two players during his Old Trafford reign - Marouane Fellaini (£27.5m) and Juan Mata (£37.1m) whereas Louis van Gaal has been able to bring in a seven players on a permanent basis as well as Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan deal.One of the mysteries surrounding David Moyes reign is whether he ever got the opportunity to spend big or whether he wasn't able to attract the big names he wanted as well as the suggestion the outlay provided to by Van Gaal was a knee-jerk reaction for the failure to qualify for the Champions League under Moyes.
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