Manchester United: Six reasons Moyes is better than Van Gaal

The good times?

Louis Van Gaal was supposed to be Manchester United's saviour and save them from a post-Ferguson decline made all the worse by the disastrous appointment of David Moyes. Yet all has not turned out as expected and with odds now at 3.02/1 for United to have a worse campaign than last Stephen Tudor picks out six reasons why the Reds may have been onto a good thing after all...

1. A tale of two vans
One of the big assumptions on Van Gaal's arrival was that Robin van Persie would flourish under his fellow countryman. The pair after all had just enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign together as coach and captain and evidently shared a mutual respect.

So van Persie's lacklustre start to 2014/15 is something of a surprise with just two goals to his name and several anonymous displays that culminated in a late substitution in the derby for an unproven teenager. Under Moyes meanwhile he had already blasted home six in ten.

2. Spending
The lack of transfer activity that followed Moyes stepping into Ferguson's giant shoes has been well documented with only Marouane Fellaini - and his giant clown shoes - purchased from his former club. Missing out on such established talents as Leighton Baines, Ander Herrera, Cesc Fabregas and - if the tabloids are to be believed - Gareth Bale left the fans exasperated and Moyes with a mediocre squad on the wane. 

So who was to blame for these botched chases? Certainly not Moyes and vice-chairman Ed Woodward rightfully and solely endured the supporter's ire. In comes the Chosen One Mark II and suddenly the chequebook takes a pounding to the extent where the most expensive first XI in English football history took to the Etihad turf this weekend.  

It has cost Van Gaal a staggering 150m upwards to take the club backwards, languishing in mid-table, and suffering the embarrassment of their worst start since 1986. 

3. Goals for
One of the many myths being propagated about Van Gaal's United is they are the great entertainers. Until this transitional stage is complete you can score three and we'll merrily bang in four. Poor Davie meanwhile is still portrayed as a defensive-minded overly-cautious kind of bloke. If this is so how come Manchester United's present Goals For column shows 14 while under Moyes - minus the lethal luxuries of Angel Di Maria and Falcao - they had put away three more by this stage last season?  

4. Silverware
An unfair comparison perhaps - you can't exactly win tournaments you are not eligible for - but at least under Moyes the Reds had the consolation of silverware as they huffed and puffed last year. In the Scot's first game in charge United swept aside Wigan in the Community Shield with that man again Van Persie bagging a brace.

Where's your trophy, Louis? 

5. The defence rests
Enough stats, it's time for some conjecture. 

As undeserving as Moyes' image is as the Scrooge to attacking football's Bob Cratchit it is inconceivable with vast fortunes to splurge he would not have replaced Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand this summer. He is undoubtedly a coach who appreciates the value of solidity first, adventure after. 

With Moyes in the technical area on Sunday United might not have started the game with their most expensive side ever yet finished it with two teens, a midfielder, and winger as their back four.

6. Philosophy
The art of winning football matches is quite simple. You forge a coherent, talented side who then work hard for each other.
Philosophy does not come into it and is best left to those with long beards smoking curved pipes.

The two previous incumbents at Old Trafford - both gruff Glaswegians - knew this all too well. With Van Gaal annoyingly it is spouted seemingly as every other word. 

You can back van Gaal's United to gain more points than Moyes' team @ 1.42/5. The 2013/14 vintage can be backed at 3.02/1 with the tie 17.016/1.