When Manchester United sacked David Moyes just ten months into his reign, many believed the club had hit rock bottom after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. Moyes had been Ferguson’s chosen successor, but the job quickly proved too big for the former Everton manager.
Over time, Moyes rebuilt his career, enjoying strong spells with West Ham United and reconnecting with Everton. Meanwhile, Manchester United continued to struggle, with one manager after another failing to bring back consistency. This cycle of false dawns and abandoned projects has now left Ruben Amorim in the hot seat.
The Portuguese coach has just reached his 34th Premier League game in charge, the same number Moyes managed before being dismissed. Naturally, this raises the question—how do their records compare?
Comparing the Numbers
David Moyes at Man Utd (2013–14)
- Premier League games: 34
- Wins: 17
- Draws: 6
- Losses: 11
- Goals: 56 for, 40 against
- Goal difference: +16
- Points per game: 1.68
- Win rate: 50%
Ruben Amorim at Man Utd (2024–25 to present)
- Premier League games: 34
- Wins: 10
- Draws: 7
- Losses: 7
- Goals: 41 for, 53 against
- Goal difference: -8
- Points per game: 1.09
- Win rate: 29.4%
The contrast is clear. Moyes’s numbers look much stronger on paper. He secured more wins, a higher win percentage, and a much healthier goal difference. Amorim, by comparison, has the lowest win percentage of any United manager in Premier League history.
Context Behind the Records
It’s important to remember the different circumstances. Moyes inherited a title-winning side from Ferguson, although that squad needed a serious refresh. Still, his United managed to sit seventh before he was dismissed.
Amorim, however, walked into a squad filled with expensive mistakes from previous managers. He has also stuck to his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, which has drawn criticism for failing to give United control in games. As a result, United have been inconsistent, finishing 15th last season—their lowest since 1973–74—and currently sitting mid-table.
Performances and Key Moments
While Moyes struggled at Old Trafford, suffering defeats to West Brom, Everton, Newcastle, and Spurs, Amorim’s United have endured humiliations in other competitions as well. Defensively, Moyes’s side was tighter, conceding 13 fewer goals in his first 34 matches. Amorim’s United, on the other hand, have looked fragile, often giving away leads and lacking authority on the pitch.
Still, there have been small positives. The 2–0 victory over Sunderland recently was described as one of Amorim’s best games in charge. Tactical tweaks, including an improved out-of-possession setup, offered hope that the team could finally be heading in the right direction.
Head-to-Head
The only meeting between Moyes and Amorim as managers ended in a draw earlier this year. Amorim’s United came from 2–0 down against Moyes’s West Ham to claim a point, showing glimpses of resilience.
Final Thoughts
Statistically, Moyes has the upper hand after 34 games, with a stronger record across almost every metric. Amorim’s time at United has been tougher, marked by poor results, defensive issues, and a lack of clear progress.
However, context matters. Moyes had a squad still carrying Ferguson’s influence, while Amorim is trying to rebuild after years of failed projects. Whether he can turn things around or becomes another name on United’s long list of short-lived managers remains to be seen.
