The Moyes Effect: Man United stats comparison with last season after 10 matches

Manchester United are now ten Premier League games into the new season under David Moyes. The ex-Everton manager has come into some criticism from United fans and neutrals alike, but how can we assess the opening portion of his managerial career with the champions?

Statistical analysis

	Points per game	Goals per game	% of goals from set-pieces	Goals conceded per game	Chances created per game
Manchester United 13/14	1.7	1.7	29.4%	1.3	9.8
Manchester United 12/13	2.34	2.26	30%	1.1	11.52

A brief glance at the statistical comparison is arguably unsurprising, with United seemingly worse in all aspects under David Moyes than they were last season as they charged towards their 19th league title. Manchester United are scoring less goals this season, as well as conceding 0.2 more goals per game. There are only five teams who have conceded more goals than United this season, with United keeping a clean sheet just twice this season, having failed to shut out the opposition in their last six Premier League games.

Man United Clean Sheets This Season

This is the main reason why they are picking up fewer points per game than they did last year. The defensive record has been awful this season. But, it wasn’t amazing last year either. The big difference has been in attack, which was lessened a degree by the 3 goals scored by the side against Fulham. United were still scoring 0.56 more goals per game last season, which is significant over the course of a season. It’s also worth noting that the side are creating fewer chances this year, perhaps as a result of David Moyes’ tactics, with just 9.8 chances per game.

Man United Stats From First 10 PL Games Last Season

Man United Stats From First 10 PL Games This Season

Manchester United look very reliant on their front two for goals with Rooney and van Persie having provided 11 of United’s 17 goals, around 65% of Man United’s goals. Over the course of last season the pair scored 44% of United’s total goals, which shows that the side are sharing out the goals less this year. The midfield were not exactly goal-getting last year but this year it’s been even worse with only two players who aren’t strikers having scored goals; Adnan Januzaj and Antonio Valencia with one each. This is a big issue for United and Moyes needs to get his support players firing, as well as creating more chances.

Man United Goalscorers In First 10 Games Last Season

Man United Goalscorers From First 10 Games This Season

Implications

Well, the implications are quite obvious. United are sitting in eighth in the Premier League as a result of their recent up and down form. The win at Fulham will give David Moyes and his side some confidence though, especially as it is off the back of a hard fought 3-2 victory over Stoke last weekend. United do however, need to get more out of the support players. This has been an issue for a while with Ashley Young failing to score a league goal last season. United may want to consider signing a support player in the next transfer window who can provide and also take chances for the side.