Moyes v Van Gaal - how do they compare through five games?

David Moyes had a better start than his replacement at Old Trafford

David Moyes was hounded out of Old Trafford because it was decided the job was too big for him, however through five games his replacement hasn't exactly set the world on fire.

The last thing Manchester United fans will want to contemplate today is the number five.

A spectacular second-half collapse against Leicester on Sunday saw United go from a comfortable 3-1 lead after an hour to losing the game 5-3.

The result leaves Louis van Gaal's team on five points after five games in the Premier League.

Big things were expected when the Dutchman took up his post. His team has so far surpassed even the horrific start endured by predecessor David Moyes.

We compare both men's first five league games in charge at Old Trafford.

Both men started their campaigns facing Swansea. Moyes' team travelled to South Wales and inflicted a 4-1 defeat on their hosts. It represented a promising start for the new boss but that would soon prove a false dawn.

Swansea faced a United side containing youth team players Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard in a makeshift defence as their 2-1 win condemned the Red Devils to a first opening day defeat since 1972 in Van Gaal's league bow.

Moyes was then left to face a daunting four-match spell that included visits to both Liverpool and Manchester City as well as a home tie with Chelsea.

By comparison, van Gaal's fixture list appeared much more appealing.

Sunderland narrowly avoided relegation last season and United have just completed a trio of games against the three sides promoted from the Championship.

The results do not make pretty reading for van Gaal, with his only victory coming against a weak QPR side at Old Trafford.

Moyes' team collected seven points in their opening five games.

Away defeats at City and Liverpool were viewed as part of the transition process for the man tasked with replacing Sir Alex Ferguson.

The win at Swansea was backed up with victory over Crystal Palace at home as well as a draw against the returning Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.

It may not have been the start Moyes had hoped for, but given how things are panning out for his successor it looks better all the time.

Since the defeat to Swansea, Van Gaal has presided over stalemates at Sunderland and Burnley along with a home drubbing of QPR - heralded as the true beginning of a new era by many pundits - before Sunday's rude awakening at the Kingpower Stadium.

Putting results to one side, the key difference at United under van Gaal compared with Moyes is that the Dutchman has been heavily backed in the transfer market.

Moyes - whether by design or otherwise - was restricted to the signing of Marouane Fellaini during the summer transfer window.

His failure to recruit became a stick to beat the Scot with for his growing list of critics.

Things could scarcely by more different under van Gaal.

More than 150m has been splashed to bring in big name players such as Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind.

All five started in what turned into a debacle at Leicester.

The United board have put huge faith in Van Gaal and allowed him free reign to spend money.

It is much too early to judge his new United team, but leadership already looks a big problem.

The defence was torn to shreds as Leicester drew blood and went for the kill during a scarcely believable concluding 25 minutes.

To those looking in, Van Gaal has assembled an embarrassment of attacking talent but his squad appears to lack balance.

Nothing that transpired against Leicester will have eroded that opinion.

Like Moyes before him, van Gaal is finding the pressure increasing sharply with each passing week.

After five games and 150m investment, United fans would be forgiven for having expected a bit more return on their money.